KIEV, April 08. /ITAR-TASS/. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has started a counter-terrorist raid in the city of Kharkiv, in a region that  proclaimed itself independent on Monday evening. The Interior Minister appointed by Ukrainian parliament Arsen Avakov said this on Tuesday.

“A counter-terrorist operation has started in the city. The city's downtown is blocked. However, there is no need to worry. We will open it as soon as we are done with the special operation,” he noted.

Additional police commando forces were earlier dispatched to eastern and southern regions of Ukraine from other provinces of the country. “These special forces are prepared to settle operational tasks without taking into account details of the current local situation,” the ministry’s press service quoted Avakov as saying.

The group of public figures held a meeting at the regional administration office voicing mistrust to lawmakers of Kharkiv regional council. They have made public a list of people who had taken duties of lawmakers of the regional legislative council. Participants in the meeting decided to proclaim an independent state named Kharkiv People’s Republic. They stated that the decision would take effect after being approved at a regional referendum.