Turchynov: Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to counterattack in the Donbas
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to improve their positions in the Donbas, according to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, as reported on the National Security and Defense Council site.
According to Turchynov, the Russian military was forced to transfer additional forces to the separatist-held part of the Donbass in order to maintain control over the situation due to the confrontation with criminal groups that are part of the separatist administration.
"These events provoked armed clashes, in particular around the town of Krymske. The Armed Forces of Ukraine control the situation and are ready not only to repel the provocations of Russian troops, but also to improve our positions," Turchynov said.
On Thursday, November 23rd, as a result of hostilities in the Donbas, five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and four more were injured. The hottest point of the conflict in the Donbass was near Krymske, where the battle lasted for eight hours. Four soldiers were killed there and two more were wounded. Separatist media reported that the Ukrainian military tried to cross the Bakhmutka highway towards the militants’ positions but were met with machine gun fire.
On November 23rd, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Luhansk "improved the tactical positions."
The separatists previously stated that the town of Hladosove in the Svitlodarsk Salient was captured by the Ukrainian military. However, the Ukrainian military denied this information.