Ukrainian Troops Retake Towns from Russian Control

A top Ukrainian security official said Ukrainian troops have cleared more than a dozen towns of armed Russian terrorists and now control two-thirds of the eastern regions at the center of the insurgency, reported the AP and the National Council for Security and Defense of Ukraine.

Secretary Andriy Parubiy said Friday that Ukrainian forces are still attacking rebel positions with artillery and planes. He said 17 villages had been secured by government forces since a unilateral cease fire expired Monday.

He said Ukrainian forces now control 23 of 36 local regions within Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, two regions along the Russian border that have declared independence from the government in Kyiv.

During the past week, since President Poroshenko resumed the anti-terrorism operation, Ukrainian troops launched powerful air and artillery strikes on strong points, checkpoints, weapons depots and places where terrorists. Reportedly activity of militants markedly decreased. Parubiy said Russian terrorists have suffered significant losses in manpower, which numbered in the hundreds. The enemy also lost 1 tank, 1 anti-aircraft unit and 5 armored Kamaz trucks.

The Ukrainian military also took control of the Kharkov - Rostov-on-Don highway.

With these heavy losses, it is no wonder the Putin is demanding a truce. Perhaps he should withdraw his terrorists to Russia and surrender.