21 Feb 2014 12:26

Deputy chief of staff of Ukrainian armed forces resigns

KYIV. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Lt. Gen. Yury Dumansky, a deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, has announced his resignation.

"The Ukrainian armed forces are being dragged into a social conflict today. This may cause a massive loss of life, both among civilians and military servicemen. This is my personal position as an officer and a citizen of Ukraine," Dumansky said in a telephone interview broadcast on Channel 5 television.

"I have decided to tender my resignation to prevent further escalation [of violence] and bloodshed," he said.