22 Jul 2014 19:31

Luhansk representatives deny retaking of Popasnaya by National Guard

LUHANSK. July 22 (Interfax) - A spokesperson for the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) has denied reports that the National Guard has seized control over the town of Popasnaya in the Luhansk region.

"The town mayor, Yuriy Onishchenko, arrived in Popasnaya with his security guards, and apparently ordered a Ukrainian flag to be raised above the town hall building. The National Guard is not there now," the LPR spokesperson told Interfax on Tuesday.

"The Ukrainian military may have deliberately sent the mayor first to see how people would react to his return and will later try to occupy the town," the spokesperson said.

Earlier the Ukrainian National Guard said on its official website that it had seized control over Popasnaya in the Luhansk region.