Ukrainian MP Lubinets: Mariupol is under threat from Russia because of Minsk-2
As a result of the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the contact line, Mariupol will be under threat of invasion by pro-Russian fighters, member of parliament Dmytro Lubinets, from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, stated at a briefing.
He noted that, according to the agreements reached in Minsk, one of the areas for withdrawal is the village of Petrivske in the Starobeshivsky district in the Donetsk region.
“Petrivske – a base area for the villages of Bohdanivka, Starohnativka and further on to Volnovakha,” the MP said.
Lubinets added that local residents are concerned by such a prospect.
“Why are people so concerned? Once the troops are withdrawn, we will lose Bohdanivka immediately. And together with this, we will lose a thousand and a half people who will be in the ‘grey zone,’ where in a week or two Russian military who are hiding in the ‘DPR’ (Donetsk People's Republic) will enter,” Lubinets added.
“In this case we will also lose the strategic height without which Volnovakha cannot be under the control of the Ukrainian forces. If the enemy’s artillery units appear near Bohdanivka, then the railway station in Volnovakha will be under their control. Railway communication between Mariupol, Volnovakha and Kamysh-zorya will be under threat,” the MP said.
Lubinets explained that in this case Mariupol will be defenseless against the enemy’s offensive because the railway artery through which troops could be quickly deployed will be under the control of the enemy.