Rival Factions Battle for Control in Eastern Ukraine<br />that In connection with the increase in Russian servicemen<br />and the activity of mercenaries, Ukrainian armed forces are ready for any potential developments in order to ensure the safety of the civilian population,<br />Video released on Wednesday by the Crimea-based news agency Newsfront appeared to show the prosecutor’s office<br />in Luhansk being raided by armed troops seemingly loyal to Igor Kornet, the deposed interior minister.<br />We will put a stop to this situation very soon." The Organization for Security<br />and Cooperation in Europe, has said it is aware of the presence of military vehicles and armed men on Lugansk’s streets, and that it is monitoring the situation.<br />22, 2017<br />MOSCOW — Dozens of armed men occupied the center of the city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, blocking the entrances<br />to several government buildings during a standoff between two top officials in the Russian-backed separatist enclave.<br />"We are deeply disturbed by the actions of a group of people, who have organized a persistent<br />campaign against our leader — Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Kornet," the statement read.<br />On Wednesday, the prime minister, Igor Plotnitsky, appeared on television to denounce Mr. Kornet’s insubordination, accusing him of attempting a coup<br />and holding him responsible for a series of power outages across the republic.
