MIlitants seize new towns in Donbas

Russian flags are hoisted over the policed department of Antratsyt, and city councils of Sverdlovsk and Alchevsk.

The buildings are seized by armed militants.

In the city of Antratsyt, Luhansk region, a Russian flag is hoisted on the police headquarters building. It was reported by local citizens in social networks on April 30.

Pro-Russian activists entered the building of Sverdlovsk (Luhansk region) mayor’s office as well. Ukrinform news agency received confirmation of this report from a local human rights activist Elena Stepanets. As said by her, besides, the unknown people from Luhansk and the Party of Regions’ representatives had arrived. She noted that consultations were held in the mayor’s office with the participation of Mayor Alexander Shmalts, deputies and gunmen headed by Dmitry Gafarov.

Today at 11 a.m. a group of about 30 pro-Russian activists entered the city council of Alchevsk, and later some other people joined them, “Vostochny variant” writes.

The flag of Ukraine was hauled down from the building of the city council after that.

We remind that since April 6 Russian subversive groups and local separatists started set-piece seizures of government buildings in the cities of eastern Ukraine. Western journalists informed that there are Belarusians among gunmen as well.

In response the authorities of Ukraine launched an anti-terrorist operation in eastern regions of the country. Troops and military equipment was sent to Donbass. On April 24 the Ukrainian army started liberation of Slovyansk.

On April 29 separatist militiamen seized key administrative buildings of Luhansk, the eastern regional capital of Ukraine. The storming took place with the use of firearms. The regional administration, the prosecutor’s office, the SBU headquarters, the police head office and the TV and Radio centre of the city are under control of the rebels.