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Developments in eastern Ukraine

East Ukraine militia claim Kiev troops plan large-scale provocations for May 8 and 9

A representative of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic pointed to the deployment of seven mobile task groups reinforced with batteries of the Grad multiple rocket launchers

Grad multiple rocket launchers being fired in Ukraine (archive) EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

Grad multiple rocket launchers being fired in Ukraine (archive)

© EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Self-proclaimed Donetsk republic defense spokesman Eduard Basurin said on Wednesday, citing human intelligence data, that the Ukrainian Army command plans large-scale provocations for May 8 and 9, including shelling of populated localities from heavy artillery systems.

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"I said on numerous occasions that we continued to receive information on Ukrainian military buildup along the entire line of contact," he said, pointing to the deployment of seven mobile task groups reinforced with batteries of the Grad multiple rocket launchers.

"But now I’m referring to the use heavy artillery and jet propulsion systems with considerable destructive potential that could lead to mass civilian casualties," Basurin noted.

According to him, facts have been revealed when Ukrainian service members in their conversations with the local population strongly recommend them to leave the settlements of Novoluganskoye and Staromikhailovka as of May 7.

"In general, a distressful conclusion arises all by itself," the DPR defense spokesman said.

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Eastern Ukraine

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