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1st LD: Ukrainian insurgent leader announces launch of attack on Mariupol -- RIA

Xinhua, January 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ukrainian insurgent leader Alexander Zakharchenko on Saturday announced the launch of an offensive on the government-controlled port of Mariupol, RIA news agency reported.

He made the announcement at a memorial ceremony in the insurgent-held city of Donetsk, according to the Russian news outlet.

Earlier in the day, Mariupol came under rocket fire, which hit an open-air market and nearby homes and shops and cause heavy casualties. TV footage showed buildings and cars in flames.

In the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk convened an emergency response meeting, at which Interior Minister Vyacheslav Abroskin was quoted as saying that the body count has reached 20 and is still growing.

Local authorities said that dozens of others were wounded in the attack. Endi