Ukraine Crisis: Luhansk Celebrates End Of Weeks Of Shelling

[Purveyor]

The conflict-wracked eastern Ukraine city of Luhansk had a rare day of jubilation yesterday as pro-Russian fighters paraded military vehicles victoriously through city streets – as other areas saw continued shelling in the conflict between government forces and the rebels.

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Signs of life are gradually returning to Luhansk, which was bombarded by shelling from Ukrainian forces as they attempted to uproot separatist rebels operating in the city.

Luhansk’s population of about 250,000 people, reduced because of the war, emerged to celebrate “city day” yesterday, which opened on a sombre note as priests led hundreds of residents in prayer in commemoration of those killed during a government-mounted siege of the city.

Speaking at the open-air service by the Mother of Sorrows Church, local separatist leader Igor Plotnitsky mourned those that had been killed and in an unusually conciliatory public statement called for forgiveness for those responsible.

A Russian aid convoy arrived on Saturday in Luhansk in an effort to relieve shortages in the city, but the border crossing did not have the approval of Kiev or oversight of the international Red Cross.

more...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-luhansk-celebrates-end-of-weeks-of-shelling-9732501.html

[Cayenne]

1. Must be Stockholm Syndrome.