Kremlin: tensions in Donbas increasing after Zakharchenko’s murder
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman of the Russian President, told journalists that the death of the head of Donetsk People's Republic is “a provocation leading to increased tension in the region” and “does not contribute to the reconciliation of the situation” in the east of Ukraine, TASS reported.
"The death of Zakharchenko undoubtedly leads to increased tension in the region, which in itself, of course, does not contribute to the formation of conditions for at least a prospect to start implementation of the Minsk agreements," the Kremlin spokesman said.
He also said that it is necessary to find out “who is actually standing behind this provocation”. This is undoubtedly a provocation that has very negative consequences on the atmosphere of the region on the whole. It is obvious that it does not contribute to the reconciliation process,” Peskov said.
Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, in his turn, refused to share his thoughts on how Zakharchenko’s death will affect the Minsk agreements.
Alexander Zakharchenko, the leader of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic was killed in the evening of Friday, on August 31. Zakharchenko was mortally wounded in the Separ restaurant in Pushkin Boulevard in Donetsk. The leader of militants died in the hospital due to fatal injuries.
The militants of Donetsk People’s Republic soon reported the capture of a group of "Ukrainian saboteurs" allegedly involved in the organization of the explosion.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed Zakharchenko’s death, denied information about the capture of Ukrainian saboteurs, as well as voiced the version of the motives for the murder of the leader of Donetsk People’s Republic. The Security Service of Ukraine believes that Zakharchenko was killed either as a result of criminal fights, or was assassinated by Russian special services.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expectedly accused Kyiv of eliminating Zakharchenko. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case under the article "an act of international terrorism."