Two more cities retaken in Ukraine, government saysJuly 7, 2014 - 12:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Ukrainian government says its forces have retaken two more eastern cities from pro-Russian activists, BBC News reported. The website of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the national flag was raised in Artemivsk and Druzhkivka. It comes a day after government forces regained control of the pro-Russian activists’ stronghold of Sloviansk. Meanwhile, large crowds have attended a rally in the regional capital, Donetsk, in support of the pro-Russian activists. The activists have re-grouped in Donetsk and are reported to have attacked the state prison guard headquarters in an attempt to seize weapons. According to BBC, Artemivsk and Druzhkivka are not considered as strategic as Sloviansk but re-taking them indicates momentum is currently with government forces. Despite their recent losses, the pro-Russian activists still hold the regional capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk and other key areas. However, senior Ukrainian security official Mykhaylo Koval said Luhansk and Donetsk would now be besieged until pro-Russian forces there surrendered. Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |