SLAVIANSK, May 21 (RIA Novosti) – The Ukrainian special forces controlling the Karachun mountain near the eastern city of Slaviansk have received over 40 pieces of military equipment, Igor Strelkov, the leader of the Slaviansk self-defense forces, told RIA Novosti Wednesday.
“Another convoy with artillery and, possibly, two heavy missile launchers arrived to Karachun yesterday. We do not know exactly yet as the equipment is protected with covers and guarded. Witnesses say it reminds of [the Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher] BM-30 Smerch (Tornado),” Strelkov said.
According to Strelkov, over the past 24 hours 40 pieces of military hardware were deployed to Karachun mountain. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian army started a shootout in the city center using blank rounds.
Local citizens continue fleeing the city though not in vast numbers yet, a RIA Novosti correspondent said. Evacuation measures are currently hampered as the city is in fact blocked and road and rail lines have been disconnected. People are leaving the city on foot.
Slaviansk Mayor Vyacheslav Ponomarev has offered to start evacuating all children remaining in the city to nearby medical centers.
