Luhansk activists bracing for fight against advancing 2,000-strong National Guard
LUHANSK. May 21 (Interfax) - The joint army of the southeast Ukraine has reinforced Luhansk's frontiers following the reports that a large motorcade of the Ukrainian National Guard was heading toward the city.
"The military motorcade of the Ukrainian National Guard is already in the village of Beloye just outside Belovodsk near Luhansk," the army headquarters told Interfax.
The National Guard forces spent the week moving around the north of the Luhansk region, the source said. "All troops met in Starobelsk and are now advancing on Luhansk. They have around 2,000 personnel and over 200 pieces of equipment, including Grad systems, self-propelled artillery systems, antiaircraft missile systems, armored personnel carriers, tanks, and Ural and GAZ-66 vehicles," the southeastern army representative said.
"Today the National Guard will be at roadblocks in Luhansk. Our army is preparing for a fight," the source said.
Meanwhile, the southeastern army representatives have been handing out leaflets among locals warning them against a possible chemical attack by the National Guard and Right Sector.