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Developments in eastern Ukraine

1120 crimes committed by military in east of Ukraine — media

The crime situation in the Donetsk region in the territories controlled by Kiev is largely caused by alcoholism among the security forces, the regional governor says

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

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Pro-Kiev subversive group detained in east Ukraine

KIEV, March 27. /TASS/. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine said on Friday that the number of crimes committed by the pro-government troops and paramilitary units in the area of the military operation in the south-western Donetsk region, which began in April 2014, has increased.

According to relevant statistics, 41.8% of criminal cases were opened against the army personnel; the so-called illegal actions of volunteer battalions account for 38.3%; National Guard fighters committed 19.8% of the crimes.

Ukraine’s former Prosecutor General Vitaly Yarema said previously that the crimes also included armed assaults with robbery and kidnappings.

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"Since the beginning of the military operation, a total of 1,120 crimes have been recorded and charges have been brought against 663 military. A total of 45 military servicemen have been arrested. The armed forces of Ukraine are leading in the number of crimes — 469. The National Guard fighters have committed least of all crimes — 222. As many as 429 criminal cases have been opened against servicemen of other military formations (volunteer battalions)," the Ukrainian newspaper Vesti reported on Friday, citing data of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The crime situation in the Donetsk region in the territories controlled by Kiev is largely caused by alcoholism among the security forces. This fact was acknowledged on Thursday by the governor who spoke at a meeting of the regional administration. Chairman of the Donetsk military-civilian administration Alexander Kikhtenko said that he prohibited the sale of alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages to all Ukrainian soldiers.

"I have signed a decree banning the sale of alcohol to the military. If I had previously asked, now I forbid," Kikhtenko said. He said that the outlets that sell alcohol to the military should be stripped of the license and inspected.

Previous reports said that a law providing for a fine of $4,500 to $10,000 or a 10-day arrest for the consumption of alcohol by Ukrainian military was put into effect in Ukraine.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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