Ukraine rebel region's security chief becomes new leader

Record ID: 939167

  • Title: Ukraine rebel region's security chief becomes new leader
  • Date: 25th November 2017
  • Summary: LUHANSK, UKRAINE (NOVEMBER 25, 2017) (REUTERS) SESSION OF SELF-PROCLAIMED LUHANSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC PARLIAMENT IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED OFFICIAL, SAYING: "To appoint Pasechnik Leonid Ivanovich an acting head of Luhansk People's Republic effective November 25, 2017. Respectable colleagues, do you have any questions or suggestions about this version (of the decision)? If not, we can vote on passing this ruling." SCREEN SHOWING RESULTS OF VOTE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SELF-PROCLAIMED LUHANSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER, LEONID PASECHNIK, SAYING: "We have always been loyal to the people's will. And now we will follow the path which we have followed during all these years. This is first of all a path towards a union with Russian Federation, being loyal to Minsk agreements as well as economical and political development of the republic." MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT APPLAUDING PASECHNIK BEING CONGRATULATED EMBLEM OF LUHANSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC ON WALL
  • Embargoed: 9th December 2017 16:41
  • Keywords: Ukraine Luahnsk People's Republic Igor Plotnitsky Leonid Pasechnik pro-Russian rebels breakaway republics Ukrainian east
  • Location: LUHANSK, UKRAINE
  • City: LUHANSK, UKRAINE
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA00178Z2CSN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The security minister of Ukraine's pro-Russian rebel region of Luhansk was voted an acting head of the self-proclaimed republic on Saturday (November 25). Leonid Pasechnik took over power from regional chief Igor Plotnitsky, who days earlier had said he was facing an attempted armed coup to force him out.
    Plotnitsky who was presented at a meeting of the rebel republic's parliament members said he resigned for health reasons.
    Luhansk and the neighbouring Donetsk region rebelled against rule from Kiev in 2014 and declared themselves independent.
    More than 10,000 people were killed in the conflict between the pro-Russian rebels and Ukraine's Western-leaning government.
    But since then, the regions, which are backed by Moscow, have been troubled by infighting that has at times turned violent.
    Earlier this week, armed men in camouflage uniforms, with masks over their faces, blocked access to central streets in the city of Luhansk, capital of the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Luhansk".
    Plotnitsky said it was a coup attempt by supporters of Igor Kornet, the rebel region's interior minister whom he had sacked. But Plotnitsky said at the time he had the situation under control and that the plotters would be dealt with.
    Though Moscow denies having any influence over the rebel regions, multiple separatist leaders have told Reuters that Kremlin officials effectively select the rebel leaders. A Kremlin spokesman this week said Moscow was watching events in Luhansk, but declined to make any further comment.
    The two self-proclaimed republics are not recognised by Russia or any other nation. The main rebel stronghold is in Donetsk, while Luhansk is less populous and less industrialised.
    The tension in Luhansk did not appear to have any direct connection to the conflict between the rebels and the Western-leaning government in Kiev.
    Russia denies accusations from Ukraine and NATO that it supports the rebels with troops and weapons.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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