Donetsk, Jan 21 - DAN. Donetsk will revoke the security guarantees given to Ukraine for repairs of a gas reducing station near Maryinka if Ukrainian forces continue to deliver strikes, Donetsk People’s Republic representative at the Contact Group talks, DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova said on Thursday.
“As for repairs on the Maryinka gas reducing station, despite the extra security guarantees offered by the DPR and Ukraine, Ukrainian armed formations on Thursday delivered two strikes at the Staromikhailovka neighbourhood which is located in immediate proximity to the repairs area, damaging three houses,” Nikonorova said. “If the ceasefire is violated again, we’ll have to revoke the security guarantees as we intend to exclude any danger to civilians’ life and health.”
The gas pipeline repairs in the area stopped in 2017 in connection with the fact that Kiev was organizing new positions under the cover of restoration works. Three years later, the issue of resuming repairs was raised again. During the security subgroup talks on January 18, 2020, Ukraine pledged to work out and send proposals on the work procedure at the Maryinka facility while taking into account the demands brought forward by the Republic’s representatives. The DPR provided the security guarantees hoping that Kiev would refrain from provocations during repairs.
Earlier reports on Thursday said that the Kiev army fired mortars and grenade launchers at Donetsk’s western outskirts damaging three houses in Staromikhailovka as the Contact Group met for talks.*jk