KRAMATORSK, May 16. /ITAR-TASS/. In recent days, militias in Sloviansk are in combat readiness. A representative of the Kramatorsk people’s militia told ITAR-TASS that the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic “has introduced martial rule” expecting assaults and mopping up from Kiev-controlled units.

“Militiamen are in combat readiness,” he said. “Yesterday, employees of the city’s enterprises were let home earlier; they expect mopping up from Kiev authorities.”

According to the source, local clashes are taking place in different parts of the Donetsk region, in particular, on the outskirts of Sloviansk. “Single shots were recently heard from the side of Krachun,” the militiaman said. He added that shooting was heard near Kramatorsk airdrome, and it allegedly was a fight between militias and Ukrainian servicemen.

The source went on saying that overnight, on the outskirts of Sloviansk, the Kiev-controlled military units shot at militia points from projectile weapons. “At present, a fight at the approaches to Sloviansk is underway, near the villages of Andreyevka, Semyonovka, near the town of Krasnyi Liman and Karachun mountain. It’s a war of nerves. They don’t let us rest. The shootout hasn’t stopped since 14:00 Thursday. They use mortar guns and large-caliber machine guns. There are also reports that heavy combat equipment is being brought,” the source said.

“Our main task is to hold the line. To push them off the city,” he added.

The approaches to Sloviansk from Kramatorsk are blocked by the Ukrainian National Guard. According to the militia source, the road is blocked with armored vehicles and checkpoints, and all people passing are subject to personal inspection.

Both militiamen and ordinary civilians die in the clashes. May 14, near the Solntsevo and Starovarvarovka localities tree people, including one woman, died as a result of shooting by the Ukrainian servicemen.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported that May 15, armed clashes took place near Sloviansk. According to the ministry, there were no casualties among the military. On Wednesday, parliament-appointed interim President and Verkhovna Rada Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov stated that the military operation on Ukraine’s east would be continued.