- Title: Kiev and pro-Russian rebels start strategic bridge restoration
- Date: 26th August 2019
- Summary: LUHANSK REGION, UKRAINE (AUGUST 26, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DAMAGED BRIDGE NEAR STANYTSIA LUHANSKA BRIDGE VIEW VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN MILITARY UNIFORMS DISMANTLING FORTIFICATIONS ON BRIDGE VARIOUS OF OBSERVERS AND MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SELF-PROCLAIMED LPR (LUHANSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC) REPRESENTATIVE, ALEXEI GETMANSKY, SAYING: "As of today we have finished demining and clearing the area from vegetation. Currently Ministry of Emergencies (of LPR) is dismantling fortifications." VARIOUS OF MEN IN MILITARY UNIFORM LOADING TIRES FROM BRIDGE INTO TRUCK (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DIRECTOR OF COMPANY WHICH WILL PARTICIPATE IN BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION, OLEG PODOLSKIY, SAYING: "After Minsk agreements our side has started preparatory works to the reconstruction of the bearing construction of the bridge. There is some damage that needs to be fixed. This is the first stage." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ON BRIDGE DAMAGED PARTS OF BRIDGE
- Embargoed: 9th September 2019 17:28
- Keywords: Ukrainian conflict LPR eatern Ukraine Luhansk breakaway republics pro-Russian separatists
- Location: LUHANSK REGION, UKRAINE
- City: LUHANSK REGION, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Reuters ID: LVA001ATUW2T5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) forces dismantled fortifications on a bridge connecting rebel- and Kiev-controlled areas in the east of Ukraine on Monday (August 26).
LPR's Ministry of Emergencies workers took apart a barricade made of wood, sand and tires so that reconstruction works could be conducted.
Due to the critical condition of the bridge, it became the main focus of the recent peace talks in Minsk, Belarus, where the sides of the conflict agreed to demine the area around the bridge.
The bridge, the only entry and exit point for civilians in Luhansk region into Ukraine, partially controlled by the rebels, was severely damaged in 2015 and replaced with two wooden ramps.
Kiev's forces have been battling pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine since 2014, in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Sporadic fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement reached in Belarus capital in 2015.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to bring peace to the two regions affected by the conflict.
(Production: Dmitry Turlyun) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None