3rd LD Writethru Ukrainian insurgent leader announces launch of attack on Mariupol

A source in the Defense Ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic claimed on Saturday that militia had entered the outskirts of Mariupol, Interfax news agency reported.

"The first few combat units have entered with battles the outskirts of Mariupol and taken positions there, the offensive is continuing," Interfax quoted the source as saying.

The volunteer Azov battalion, which fights against rebels along with Ukrainian army, said explosions were heard on the east outskirts of Mariupol.

Azov spokesman Andriy Dyachenko said the militia were increasing the intensity of fire, adding that Azov are absolutely ready to repel the insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian insurgent leader Alexander Zakharchenko denied there is any plan to storm Mariupol, saying he had ordered the offensive against the government troops only after Kiev had tried to place the responsibility for the deadly shelling of the city on the militia forces.

Earlier on Saturday, Zakharchenko announced the launch of an offensive on the government-controlled port city of Mariupol.

On Saturday morning, Mariupol came under shelling of rocket fire, which hit an open-air market and nearby homes and shops and caused heavy casualties. TV footage showed buildings and cars in flames.

Currently, the death toll of the rocket attack has risen to 30, while almost a hundred of people were wounded, according to local authorities.

The Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia to attend an emergency meeting of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council on Sunday over the escalating tensions in eastern regions.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has called on the United Nations Security Council to immediately call a session over the shelling. Endite