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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Lugansk self-defence forces say they control city

Lugansk’s self-defence forces were exposing subversive groups shelling the city’s residential quarters

LUGANSK, July 20, /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine’s southeastern city of Lugansk are fully controlled by self-defence forces, leader of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic, Valery Bolotov, said on Sunday, adding that the use of any transport vehicles other than public transport and utilities services vehicles would be banned in the city from Monday to prevent possible subversive activities.

“We fully control Lugansk,” Bolotov said. In his words, Ukraine’s National Guard forces had approached the settlement of Tarasovka and were shelling Lugansk from Grad missile systems. Fighting was underway near the airport and the settlement of Metallist. “The situation is stably grave,” he noted.

He also said that Lugansk’s self-defence forces were exposing subversive groups shelling the city’s residential quarters. “Just one hour ago, we detained another group of diversionists. Now they are being interrogated,” Bolotov said.

Such groups, according to intelligence, use motor cars to move about the city, he noted. That is why in order to ensure security of the city residents, the administration of the Lugansk People’s Republic has banned the use of any motor cars from Monday, except vehicles of public utilities services and public transport.

On Saturday, the government of the Lugansk People’s Republic promised a reward of 176 hryvnias (15,000 U.S. dollars) to those who help catch and liquidate diversionists firing at Lugansk from mortar guns.

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Eastern Ukraine

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