DPR Command Says Kiev Preparing To Launch Major Offensive Against Republic On Friday

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DPR Command Says Kiev Preparing to Launch Major Offensive Against Republic on Friday

The Ukrainian security forces have concentrated a striking force of more than 12,000 people in the south-eastern part of the country in order to launch on December 14 an offensive against the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), deputy commander of the DPR Operational Command Eduard Basurin said on Monday.

DONETSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th December, 2018) The Ukrainian security forces have concentrated a striking force of more than 12,000 people in the south-eastern part of the country in order to launch on December 14 an offensive against the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), deputy commander of the DPR Operational Command Eduard Basurin said on Monday.

According to Basurin, the Ukrainian armed forces aim at seizing several southern DPR regions bordering Russia.

"A striking force formed by the enemy and comprising over 12,000 people has been concentrated along the contact line near the settlements of Novotroitske, Shyrokyne, Rivnopil. More than 50 tanks, 40 multiple rocket launchers, 180 heavy guns and mortars have been brought here ... In the morning of December 14 ... advance elements of brigades 128 and 79 are set to start an offensive ... in the direction of Klynkyne settlement [situated close to Russia's Rostov Region], aiming at reaching the DPR's state border by December 15," Basurin told reporters.

The deputy commander believes that the offensive operation could be preceded by a provocation orchestrated by the Ukrainian military at a metallurgical plant in Mariupol, which is storing significant amounts of ammonia.

The armed conflict in the east of Ukraine was triggered in 2014, after the DPR and another breakaway region, the Luhansk People's Republic, announced their independence from Ukraine, refusing to recognize the new government, which seized power after the overthrow of then-President Viktor Yanukovych.

Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany have been seeking to settle the conflict via their multilateral talks. In 2015, the group signed the Minsk ceasefire agreements, however, both Kiev and Donbas continue to accuse each other of truce breaches.