2015-01-24 09:42:00

Rebels launch massive offensive in Ukraine


(Vatican Radio) Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have launched a massive offensive against Ukrainian government troops after rejecting a previously signed peace deal.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:

Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko says rebel fighters are on the offensive to gain more territory and prevent a Ukrainian attack. 

"There will be no further attempts to talk about a ceasefire from our side," he said, adding that his forces can now "attack in three directions simultaneously".

His gunmen are currently fighting in Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions. 

NATO OFFICIAL

United States Air Force General Philip Breedlove of the NATO military alliance says rebels have pushed west and received reinforcements from Russia.

"Russian-backed forces have renewed capability now to bring pressure on the Ukrainian forces and have in several cases moved the line of contact to the West and this is concerning," the official said. 

With clashes ongoing, the UN human rights agency says the conflict's overall death toll has risen to nearly 5,100 since April.

"Between the 13 and 21 of January at least 262 people were killed due to the hostilities," said spokesman Rupert Colville. "This is an average of at least 29 people per day, and this is the most deadly period since a declaration of a ceasefire on the 5th of September."    

The pro-Russian insurgency began in April in eastern Ukraine, after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. The international community does not recognize the annexation, which remains illegal according to international law.

 








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