THERE IS A WAR AGAINST US ON OUR TERRITORY: AVAKOV 

The Interior Minister Arsen Avakov emphasized that ATO in Slovyansk exposes grave danger on the peaceful population.

“The ATO forces do not conduct storms of the residential neighborhoods and set up tasks not to attack where there is a danger for peaceful population,” Avakov said.

The head of the ministry has emphasized that a war is waged against Ukraine.

This is not a toy war.

“We are talking about anti-terror operation on our territory, on the Ukrainian land. People have come here and they are shooting. In particular, the checkpoint was fusilladed this night. We are not talking about some toy war. National Guard officers, military, Alfa Special Force are here. Therefore, let’s talk about a war on our territory,” he said.

Avakov has added that terrorists are hiding behind peaceful citizens.

Ukrainian military cannot shoot at peaceful citizens.

“We have our hands tied by peaceful population around. Some are supporting us, some do not, some are for the Russian language, some are against, - it is not important. Ukrainian military cannot shoot at peaceful citizens. This restriction is used by enemy. The enemy is hiding behind them and shoots from there,” he said.