January 24 events January 2015 Mariupol rocket attack

a charred civilian vehicle mariupol after attack. exhibition in kiev.

on 24 january, major escalation took place after rocket attack killed many people. mariupol city authorities said grad rocket hit residential area in city, , killed 20 people. video footage showed cars, buildings, , apartment flats in flames result of attack. attack appeared come multiple rocket launcher. 1 resident told agence france-presse on telephone rebels had managed seize mariupol airport, although rebels made no comment alleged airport seizure. airport located 20 kilometers behind front line. rebels denied involvement in attack.

the rocket attacks came day after rebels rejected peace deal , announced going on multi-prong offensive against government in kiev vastly increase territory. despite rebel denials, donetsk rebel leader alexander zakharchenko said forces had started offensive on mariupol, , rejected further talks kiev; zakharchenko said today offensive launched on mariupol. best possible monument our dead. zakharchenko stated provocation dpr militants not have mentioned artillery systems , according sourced shelling conducted staryi krym. death count rose 27 people, several more injured. ukrainian prime minister arseniy yatsenyuk called urgent meeting @ un security council.

a ukrainian military checkpoint hit in attack, killing 1 soldier. city council urged citizens of mariupol not panic , said units on battle-ready. security measures in city have been strengthened. general secretary of nato jens stoltenberg condemned attack, urging russia stop supporting rebels. president petro poroshenko considered attack crime against humanity , , cancelled trip saudi arabia. vowed deliver full victory on rebels.

according osce observers grad , uragan rockets used in attack, originating villages oktyabr (19 km ne) , zaichenko (15 km ne), both controlled separatist forces. later, pro-russian rebels said not going storm mariupol , offensive strengthen positions around city.

the next day, president poroshenko vowed calm recent fighting in strategic port city. speaking @ emergency meeting @ ukrainian security council, said minsk protocol signed on september 5th solution end conflict. said intercepted radio conservations prove pro-russian rebels behind attacks, conservation hadn t been confirmed independently yet. russia denied involvement in attack, saying result of ukrainian forces shelling residential areas indiscriminately. petro poroshenko said ukrainian forces killed of rebels involved in shelling, , put rebel casualties @ 110. 6 grad missile launchers destroyed according him, , sbu captured artillery gun spotter kiev questioning.

security service of ukraine (sbu) published detailed timeline of rocket attack.