15 Apr 2014 15:41

There are no Russian troops in Luhansk - self-defense coordinator

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) - Coordinator of the Luhansk regional self defense forces Alexei Chmilenko has denied claims that Russian troops have been deployed in the region.

"There is not a single Russian serviceman in the Luhansk region," Chmilenko told Interfax by telephone on Tuesday. He also said that self-defense activists have detained a group of provocateurs.

"We have tracked down two groups as a minimum, who were handing out Russian military uniforms and urged local residents to wear them and move towards the border simulating Russian troops' retreat. We think that was done to provoke foreign countries' reaction," Chmilenko said.

The provocateurs were detained, Chmilenko said.