Ukraine renews attacks on pro-Russians

Ukrainian forces have renewed military operations against pro-Russians.

The renewal of operations comes a day after a ceasefire with the protesters in eastern Ukraine expired. The truce lasted ten days.

On Tuesday morning, Ukrainian Parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov announced that the “active phase” of the military operation against the protesters had resumed, saying the Ukrainian armed forces are attacking the bases of the pro-Russians.

According to reports, a series of new clashes erupted between the two sides in the eastern parts of the country during the early hours of Tuesday.

Poroshenko had declared a seven-day ceasefire with pro-Russia protesters on June 20 and later extended it to 10 days.

On Tuesday, Poroshenko said the truce was a “unique” opportunity to establish peace, which was not realized blaming the current situation on what he described as “criminal actions” by pro-Russian groups.

Before the ceasefire’s expiration, Poroshenko discussed the situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Francois Hollande during a four-way phone call.

Ukraine’s mainly Russian-speaking parts in the east have been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-Russia activists and the Ukrainian army since the government in Kiev launched military operations in mid-April in a bid to crush the pro-Russia protests.
Violence intensified in May after the Donetsk and Lugansk regions held local referendums, in which their residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Ukraine.