О.Turchynov: Sloviansk is an example for other occupied cities

The Kremlin really paid much attention to capture exactly Sloviansk, because the Russian propaganda made this city to an outpost for the further attack of "Russian World" on the whole Ukraine, therefore the liberation of the city was of fundamental importance for our country. This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov to reporters in Sloviansk on Tuesday.

"The hardest thing was to wage war, to liberate our land and at the same time not destroy the peaceful city, where were hiding the militants, saboteurs, commandos, abandoned in our country", - said O. Turchynov. Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine noted that Ukrainian military had a task to "do everything, but to save the city and the lives of civilians in Sloviansk. This task was adequately performed, though it led to a significant increase in time liberation and additional losses of our military", - he added.

According to the Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine in order to save the lives of our citizens, which terrorists used as human shields, our military didn't shell Sloviansk, but surrounded it", and the ring constantly shrank, until war criminals have not been squeezed out of the city."

"Sloviansk is an example for other occupied cities that only after returning to the homeland peace and development can be ensured on their territories. Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories should unite the efforts with our Armed Forces, throw out the invaders and together liberate free hard-working Donbass, which is an 'integral part of Ukraine", - he concluded.