Ukraine recalls Ilovaisk tragedy after Putin proposed corridor for journalists
Photo: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine does not recommend that journalists trust the permission of Russian preisdent Vladimir Putin to visit Pokrovsk and Kupiansk. Moscow has already violated its own promises during the battles for Ilovaisk, says the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhii Tykhyi.
"Frankly speaking, I do not recommend that journalists trust any proposals from Putin regarding 'corridors' in the combat zone. I saw with my own eyes how such proposals ended — on August 29, 2014, in Ilovaisk," Tykhyi said.
He noted that the Kremlin leader only seeks to prolong the war. He has never fulfilled his promises of a ceasefire.
Tykhyi called on journalists not to help Putin justify his crimes through Russian provocations against journalists.
"I also remind all media that any visits to territories occupied by Russia without Ukraine’s permission constitute a violation of our legislation and international law. They will have long-term reputational and legal consequences. We are closely monitoring this," the MFA spokesperson emphasized.
In August 2014, Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers were surrounded in Ilovaisk. On the night of August 29, Ukrainian servicemen were offered a "green corridor" to withdraw from the encirclement.
The columns began moving along the agreed route, but as they exited, they came under enemy fire. There were many killed and wounded.
Putin’s idea
Today, October 30, the Russian Ministry of Defense wrote that Russian president Vladimir Putin had ordered foreign journalists, including Ukrainian ones, to be allowed to Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and Kupiansk to allegedly confirm the encirclement of Ukrainian troops in these cities.
The Russian Ministry of Defense expressed its "readiness" to suspend hostilities for 5–6 hours so that journalists could visit these settlements.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, responding to the Russian claims about the encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, stated that this is a fake.
He emphasized that there is no blockade of Ukrainian soldiers.
The Russians are concentrating their forces in the urban areas of Pokrovsk, while avoiding direct clashes.
