KIEV, May 30 (RIA Novosti) – Over 20 Ukrainian army personnel have been killed during the special operation in the east of the country, Ukraine’s acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval said Friday.
“It is slightly over 20 people,” Koval said, responding to a question about the losses of Ukrainian Army.
According to the minister, the standoff has claimed the lives of two helicopter crews, and several paratroopers.
Twelve Ukrainian servicemen, including a general, were killed yesterday when a helicopter was shot down in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk.
According to the acting Defense Minister, Ukrainian forces are planning to continue the special operation in southeastern Ukraine until they reach a complete stabilization in the region.
“We will work until this region begins to live normally… and until the people [begin] to live in peace," Koval said earlier today.
In mid-April, Ukraine’s interim government launched a special operation to crack down on federalists, but failed to gain control over the self-proclaimed independent republics in the eastern part of country. Moscow has described the operation as a punitive act.
