DONETSK, August 04. /ITAR-TASS/. The Ukrainian army has amassed hundreds of pieces of heavy weaponry around the eastern city of Donetsk trying to fight its way through its suburbs that are controlled by militias, the press service of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) said on Monday.

Local residents said “fighting is going on in Maryinka (suburb of Donetsk) and smoke from a fire can be seen there,” the city council said.

Maryinka stands along the humanitarian corridor opened for the residents of Donetsk to leave the city.

Earlier, a similar corridor was opened in Luhansk. It is marked by pieces of white fabric. Besides, each person using the corridor has to wear a wide white band on the sleeve.

People are only allowed to take their personal belongings with them. Fire will be ceased within 200 metres on both sides of the corridor from 10:00 till 14:00 daily.

The DNR press service also denied reports that the Ukrainian army had taken the town of Yasinovataya, a major railroad hub, in the Donetsk region.

“In the morning the Ukrainian troops made a new attempt to enter Yasinovataya. The militias fought off all attacks, and the fighting is still going on,” the press service said.

In Dokuchayevsk, a town near Donetsk, Ukrainian troops killed 18 civilians, militiamen said, adding that it was an act of revenge of the death of their two fellow soldiers.