KRAMATORSK, Ukraine, April 18 (RIA Novosti) – The People's Mayor of Gorlovka and two of his closest associates have been reported missing in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region, local federalist protesters told RIA Novosti Friday.
“People's mayor Alexander Sapunov, the leader of the public movement City Order, has disappeared. He hasn’t been in touch with us since yesterday evening,” the demonstrators told RIA Novosti, adding that two of his closest assistants have also disappeared.
“We went to their home, and found their car by the front door with the parking lights on,” the federalists said. A RIA Novosti correspondent verified the officials' cell phones did not respond to calls.
In Gorlovka, a town of 320,000 in the Donetsk region, pro-federalization protesters continue to control several government buildings, with flags of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic flying over the buildings.
The federalists have chosen a new “people's mayor” and appointed a new police chief, Alexander Shulzhenko, a former Ukrainian commander who has sworn allegiance to the Donetsk People's Republic.
Eastern Ukraine has been swept by pro-federalization rallies since last month. Protesters have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government and have urged authorities to hold referendums on greater regional autonomy.
Earlier this week, authorities in Kiev announced a special operation to suppress the rioters with military force. Violent clashes between the Ukrainian military and protesters broke out in Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, with fatalities reported in both cases.
Ukraine underwent a regime change resembling a military coup in February. The country’s parliament ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, changed the constitution and scheduled an early presidential election for May 25. Moscow has repeatedly questioned the legality of parliament’s actions.
