Donetsk, May 25 – DAN. Kiev forces deliberately escalate the situation in Donbass before the upcoming Russia World Cup 2018, said DPR envoy to the negotiations Denis Pushilin.

"The situation is escalated deliberately by the Ukrainian side as the Russia World Cup 2018 is coming. We should be prepared for any developments. Ukraine has been acting unreasonably for four years; we have seen shelling of kindergartens, schools, hospitals. These are the provocations we are expecting."

Earlier a Ukrainian ex-military captured by the DPR forces outside Donetsk revealed that Ukrainian command plans an offensive in Donbass on the eve of the World Cup to kick off June 14. *ot