Russia blames Ukraine for car-bomb attack

Introduction

Russia has accused Ukraine of being behind a car-bomb attack that took place in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The attack, which occurred on 27th December 2019, killed Alexander Zakharchenko, the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), and injured several others. The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the attack and called for an investigation into the incident.

Background

The Donetsk People’s Republic is a self-proclaimed state in eastern Ukraine that was established in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea by Russia. The DPR is not recognized by any country, including Russia, but is supported by Moscow. The region has been the site of ongoing conflict between Ukrainian government forces and separatist rebels since 2014.

Alexander Zakharchenko was the leader of the DPR and had been in power since 2014. He was a former electrician and had no political experience before becoming the leader of the separatist group. Zakharchenko was known for his close ties to Russia and his hardline stance on the conflict with Ukraine.

The Attack

The car-bomb attack took place in the center of Donetsk on 27th December 2019. Zakharchenko was attending a cafe with several other high-ranking officials when the explosion occurred. The blast killed Zakharchenko and injured several others, including the DPR’s finance minister and deputy prime minister.

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack and blaming Ukraine for the incident. The statement read, „We consider this terrorist act as another evidence of the Kiev regime’s policy of terror and intimidation against the people of Donbass who refuse to accept the coup d’etat in Ukraine and the imposition of the rule of nationalists and neo-Nazis.“

The Ukrainian government denied any involvement in the attack and accused Russia of using the incident to further its own political agenda. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called the accusations „absurd“ and said that „Russia’s accusations are an attempt to justify its aggression against Ukraine.“

Reactions

The car-bomb attack has been condemned by several countries, including the United States and the European Union. The US State Department issued a statement saying, „We condemn the assassination of Alexander Zakharchenko and call for a full investigation into this heinous act.“ The EU also called for an investigation into the incident and urged all parties to „refrain from any actions that could further escalate the situation.“

The attack has also raised concerns about the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the role of Russia in the region. The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of supporting the separatist rebels and providing them with weapons and other military support. Russia has denied these allegations but has acknowledged that it provides humanitarian aid to the region.

Conclusion

The car-bomb attack in Donetsk has raised tensions between Russia and Ukraine and has further complicated the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The accusations and denials from both sides have highlighted the deep divisions between the two countries and the challenges of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community has called for an investigation into the incident and urged all parties to refrain from any actions that could escalate the situation further

Original article Teaser

Russia blames Ukraine for car-bomb attack

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