09:54 17.04.2014

Three Mariupol military unit attackers reportedly killed, 13 injured - Ukraine interior minister

2 min read

Ukrainian Interior Ministry Arsen Avakov has confirmed that the National Guard's military unit, based in Mariupol, the Donetsk region, was attacked.

None of the Interior Ministry personnel who responded to the assault was killed or injured.

Three attackers are believed to have been killed, another 13 were injured and 63 were detained, Avakov said on his Facebook page on Thursday morning.

"No casualties have been reported among the Interior Ministry servicemen. The preliminary information available suggests that three of the militants were killed, 13 were injured and 63 were detained. Weapons, communication equipment and mobile phones were confiscated. The identities of the detained persons are being established," he said.

In response to the assault on the National Guard unit in Mariupol, Interior Ministry soldiers conducted an overnight "operation to contain the attacking gang, which included some 300 people," Avakov said.

After the attackers hurled Molotov cocktails and opened fire on servicemen, National Guard soldiers fired several warning shots into the air, "after which, following further warnings, they executed "shoot to kill" instructions in compliance with their Charter, after they were attacked once again," Avakov said.

"All of Mariupol's police units were put on high alert. Armed policemen and the National Guard managed to disperse the gang through joint efforts after a brief clash, after which the gang was largely contained and disarmed," he said.

The Omega special operations unit took part in the Mariupol operation, and helicopters were redeployed to the area, he added.

"The Ukrainian Security Service is currently documenting these events together with police. The operation continues. Interior Ministry units continue to chase one of the armed groups. Police patrols can be seen on the streets," Avakov said.

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