Ukrainian gov’t, separatists report heavy combat losses
KYIV/MOSCOW, July 11 (Xinhua) — Heavy casualties were reported Friday by warring sides in the eastern Ukrainian region of Lugansk.
Over 30 Ukrainian troops were killed by the Grad mortar fire near the Zelenopolye village, Interior Ministry Spokesman Zoryan Shkiryak said.
He did not rule out that the number of casualties could rise.
Kyiv also said government forces have killed about 100 insurgents, as well as a number of Grads, cargo vehicles and an anti-aircraft gun during the offensive operation in Lugansk and Donetsk regions.
An unnamed representative of the insurgents confirmed that information to the RIA Novosti news agency.
Also on Friday, the Gukovo border checkpoint in Russia’s Rostov region has evacuated its personnel after several shells exploded on the Russian side of the border.
“Several shells went off near the Gukovo customs point at approximately 14:00 (Moscow time, 1000 GMT) on Russian territory,” Interfax news agency quoted Southern Customs Directorate spokesman Rayan Farukshin as saying.
No one was hurt in the incident, he added.
Meanwhile, the staff of the earlier evacuated Novoshakhtinsk checkpoint, also in Rostov region, have returned to work, but no people are being let through because the Ukrainian checkpoint across the border remains shut.