Zakharchenko: Donetsk People’s Republic ready to repel any attack by Ukraine’s Armed Forces

Ukraine leadership is preparing for a new phase of military operation in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko, head of the DPR, reiterated today, on April 16.

"By data of our intelligence, the Ukrainian military are increasing manpower and military hardware along the disengagement line. Kiev is preparing for a new phase of military operation in the territory of the DPR," Zakharchenko said. “We are ready to repel any attack, including a military one.”

A lot of Ukrainian military were killed and about 300 wounded while attempting to break into an area near the Donetsk airport and the Spartak community.

"Yesterday [April 15] nationalist battalions [of the Ukrainian Armed Forces] and DPR self-defense forces clashed in a battle near the Donetsk airport and the Spartak community. Up to two squadrons of the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an attack in two directions but were repelled. Eventually, we destroyed eight units of the enemy’s military hardware. Many Ukrainian servicemen were killed and wounded. By data from radio intercepts, we found out that Ukrainian military removed around 300 injured servicemen from the battle areas,"  the Donetsk news agency quoted Zakharchenko as saying.

At the meeting, among other issues, the DPR head dwelled on the preparation for the sowing season. “Presently, one third of the crop areas is mined. We must step up de-mining activities,” Zakharchenko said.  Igor Savenko, the acting minister of agriculture and food industry, said about 35,000 ha of cultivated areas are in question, of which 10 ,000 ha are in the Shakhter region, not far from the areas were military actions were raging. The minister said the sowing campaign will be successful, in case of operative de-mining of the territories.