02 May 2014, 16:48
Address of the Acting President of Ukraine, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov to the compatriots
“Dear compatriots!
Today in the morning we have began and active phase of counterterrorist operation targeted against the main militants’ base located in the town of Sloviansk that terrorizes the entire Donetsk region.
Our key task lies in protecting people and preventing victims among the population.
Our law-enforcement agencies fight foreign state’s mercenaries, terrorists and criminals that take hostages, kill and torture people and threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity and stability.
I want to emphasize: the operation is being unfolded not that fast as we would like it, and it is significantly complicated due to the fact that terrorist bases are located in the densely populated cities and they themselves hide behind civilians’ backs, use hostages as a smear and deliver fire from apartment blocks.
In the course of today’s stage of operation, we managed to seize all fortified defended posts and roadblocks of terrorists around Sloviansk. We continue advancing on terrorists.
In the course of operation, terrorists suffered significant loses: there are lots of deceased, injured and arrested. Unfortunately, we have information about two deceased and seven injured Ukrainian military men.
I am grateful to all heroes who courageously defend our country. Eternal glory to all those who died protecting their Homeland.
The Constitution significantly curtails my powers, however, the newly elected President will put forward for highest state awards all heroes who distinguished by defending their country, as well as peace and calm of our citizens.
We demand that terrorists, diversionists and all those who bore arms against our country lay down arms, surrender, release hostages and free administrative buildings. Those who will lay down arms and are not implicated in serious crimes will be pardoned, and those guilty of killings and tortures will be punished.
I would like mention that today at night attempts were made to break through the state border on the part of a group of armed Russian diversionists that were stopped by our border guards.
I want to separately address leadership of the Russian Federation: stop hysteria around the developments in Ukraine. Stop threatening and intimidation.
If you are concerned about violation of citizens’ rights, then get down to protecting them in your country, where violation of rights has become systemic.
We demand that Russia stop its provocations against our country and stop using terrorism, diversions and military threat as a form of pressure on our country.
Despite all the problems and counteraction, we will secure peace and calm in our country and we will stop terrorist threat in the east of Ukraine.
May God keep Ukraine and each of you.”
The address will be broadcast on Rada TV channel.