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Ukrainian rebel leader injured in 'assassination attempt' blast on car | Ukrainian rebel leader injured in 'assassination attempt' blast on car |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LNR) Igor Plotnitsky has been injured after an explosion rocked his car. It is reported he is undergoing surgery due to the injuries he sustained. | |
The incident took place in the city of Lugansk, the capital of LNR on Saturday morning, the LNR People’s Militia HQ told RIA Novosti, adding that two people were injured. | The incident took place in the city of Lugansk, the capital of LNR on Saturday morning, the LNR People’s Militia HQ told RIA Novosti, adding that two people were injured. |
The explosive - equivalent to 15 kg of TNT according to local officials - was tied to a traffic light, at a height of 3 feet above the ground. | |
“Plotnitsky is in serious condition and is undergoing an operation,” a source told Interfax. | |
The blast also reportedly damaged the facades of the nearby buildings and shattered surrounding windows. Police have cordoned off the area where the explosion took place. | |
“Today at 07:50 there was an assassination attempt on the head of the LNR. Facts at the scene point to a terrorist attack,” the LNR Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sergey Kozlov said, as cited by the Lugansk Informational Center. He added that the Lugansk authorities have already set up a working group to investigate the incident. | “Today at 07:50 there was an assassination attempt on the head of the LNR. Facts at the scene point to a terrorist attack,” the LNR Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sergey Kozlov said, as cited by the Lugansk Informational Center. He added that the Lugansk authorities have already set up a working group to investigate the incident. |
“Currently the condition of Igor Plotnitsky is stable, there is no threat to his life,” Kozlov added. | “Currently the condition of Igor Plotnitsky is stable, there is no threat to his life,” Kozlov added. |
Plotnitsky received shrapnel wounds, which caused damage to his liver and his spleen, a hospital source told Interfax. | Plotnitsky received shrapnel wounds, which caused damage to his liver and his spleen, a hospital source told Interfax. |
LNR police have said that they believe that Ukraine's security services are behind the attack. Aleksandr Zakharchenko, who heads the next-door, Donetsk People's Republic, said that he has been aware of potential assassination attempts on top officials from the two territories for at least a month. | |
"Thank God this time the worst didn't happen," Zakharchenko told Lugansk media. | |
Plotnitsky became the head of LNR in August 2014, months after the authorities in Kiev launched a major military crackdown against rebels in eastern Ukraine. | Plotnitsky became the head of LNR in August 2014, months after the authorities in Kiev launched a major military crackdown against rebels in eastern Ukraine. |
In February 2015, Plotnitsky together with the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Aleksandr Zakharchenko, signed the Minsk-2 agreements regarding the peaceful settlement of the conflict between Kiev and the rebels in eastern Ukraine. | In February 2015, Plotnitsky together with the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Aleksandr Zakharchenko, signed the Minsk-2 agreements regarding the peaceful settlement of the conflict between Kiev and the rebels in eastern Ukraine. |
According to the UN, over 4,000 civilians have died in the conflict as of mid-November 2015, and more than 9,000 have been injured. | According to the UN, over 4,000 civilians have died in the conflict as of mid-November 2015, and more than 9,000 have been injured. |