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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Kharkiv reinforces city patrols, tightens control over administrative buildings

"The number of law enforcers in city streets will be doubled," head of the Kharkiv state administration Igor Baluta said

Police outside the offices of the Kharkov administration (archive) ITAR-TASS/Sergei Kozlov

Police outside the offices of the Kharkov administration (archive)

© ITAR-TASS/Sergei Kozlov

KIEV, January 22. /TASS/. Kharkiv has reinforced city patrols as of 3.00pm local time Thursday, UNIAN news agency reported, quoting head of the Kharkiv state administration Igor Baluta as saying at a meeting with German ambassador to Ukraine Christof Weil.

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"The number of law enforcers in city streets will be doubled. Patrols will ensure security near administrative centers and state facilities of special importance. Light armored vehicles will be permanently stationed on the territory of these facilities or nearby. Around 2,400 law enforcers will be enrolled for patrolling purposes," UNIAN said, quoting Igor Baluta. A regime of emergency patrolling has been enforced as of 3.00pm local time, Baluta said.

He explained that emergency measures were taken "because the distance from the 'front line' to the Kharkiv regional administration is 230 kilometers only."

Meanwhile, experts have noted that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had cut short his visit to a conference held in Davos because of "a difficult situation which developed in the south-east of Ukraine" and returned to Kiev earlier than expected. On Thursday, Poroshenko has cancelled his planned visit to Dnipropetrovsk because of "unfavorable weather conditions."

Local sources do not rule out that measures to reinforce patrolling in Kharkiv were taken because President Poroshenko might possibly visit the city. On Wednesday, Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security Council Oleksandr Turchynov visited Kharkiv.

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Eastern Ukraine

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US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

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Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

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No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

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German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

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13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

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Central African Republic expects Russia to supply weapons, munitions — defense minister

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Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

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Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

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US will have to take Russia into account and find common ground with it — Putin

Russian President said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel journalist Pavel Zarubin

Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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