SLOVIANSK, April 15. /ITAR-TASS/. The city of Sloviansk, in eastern Ukraine, has been reportedly surrounded by Kiev-controlled forces that have armored vehicles at their disposal, the city’s acting mayor, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the commander of the self-defense battalion, told ITAR-TASS.

Barricades are being reinforced on the city’s streets and roads to the city. Self-defense militias are taking precautions in case of fire attacks from heights overlooking the city.

“Troops have surrounded the city. Armored vehicles — tanks and APCs — have been placed all around. We are getting ready. If they try to move in, we will have to stop them,” Ponomaryov said.