KIEV, Ukraine
There are currently 15,000 pro-Russian separatists and Russian soldiers in Ukraine, said Andrei Lysenko, spokesman for the Ukraine National Security Council on Tuesday.
Additionally, Russia continues to hold nearly 45,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian border, Lysenko said in a TV program.
Valeriy Geletey, Ukrainian Defense Minister said on social media that counter-terrorism operations ended in the eastern part of Ukraine, and that now they have to defend themselves against Russia.
Geletey said Ukraine should create a line of defense against Russia, and added "Ukraine will take the necessary measures to prevent separatists moving towards the country."
Geletey pointed out that six high-ranking commanders who were carrying out counter-terrorism operations were relieved of their duty and young military officers were appointed in the commanders' position.
Andrei Purgin, a deputy prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, emphasized that the two sides took the first step towards a cease-fire during the Minsk talks last week and that the talks will continue on September 5.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces abandoned Luhansk airport in the eastern part of the country Monday after pro-Russian separatists clashed with Ukrainian soldiers for control of the airport in Luhansk on Sunday evening, said Lysenko.
Lysenko stated that Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw from Luhansk airport in the evening hours Monday as pro-Russian separatists were supported by a column of Russian tanks.
Kiev launched military operations in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk in mid-April to restore government control after pro-Russian separatists declared independence in the region. The operations had been relatively successful in pushing the separatists back. However, amid recent accounts of the presence of Russian troops on Ukrainian soil, government forces have begun to lose ground.
www.aa.com.tr/en
