Interfax: Rebel leader in Ukraine says independence is new aim

(Interfax – Donetsk – August 24, 2015) The prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk people’s republic [DNR], Oleksandr Zakharchenko, rules out the possibility of Ukraine’s federalization and insists on DNR’s independence.

“We want to live independently. Federalization (of Ukraine) doesn’t suit us,” he told journalists at a news conference in Donetsk.

In Zakharchenko’s opinion, the self-proclaimed republic has sufficient economic potential to live independently. “We have all the mineral resources, resort zones, we are a self-sufficient region,” he said.

He also reiterated that the militia had begun a counteroffensive on the previous evening. “Last night we launched an offensive against the Amvrosiyivka force grouping, we’re pushing the enemy back. At the same time we’re forming all the necessary infrastructure. Thus, for example, two military hospitals have been set up and treat both militia members and civilians casualties,” Zakharchenko said.

At the same time the DNR head promised to continue the practice of displaying damaged Ukrainian military hardware in Donetsk’s central square. “Today’s event (the display of damaged Ukrainian military hardware in the centre of Donetsk) was aimed at showing Kiev that everything that comes to us from Kiev will end up in the square,” he said.

[A report by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Zakharchenko telling the news conference that the DNR militia had captured 14 armoured vehicles and destroyed another 45 in the latest offensive. He said the militia were moving towards the village of Olenivka, 34 km from Donetsk on the road to Mariupol.]