Volunteer battalions and units of National Guard left the demarcation line and were replaced by divisions of the AFU. This decision was caused by a build-up of forces of the AFU and desire to raise their controllability on the front-line. The Head of the General Headquarter Viktor Muzhenko told that in interview for “Novoe vremya”.

“Replacement of divisions of the National Guard by marines is organized to reinforce protection of Mariupol and raise controllability of the army. National Guard has to implement its own goals, and Armed Forces – their own. Protection of the front-line is a task of the AFU”, Muzhenko announced.

We would remind that a buffer zone is forming near Mariupol, which includes the territory of Shirokino village. Ukrainian military presence will be kept in the 30 km buffer zone. A unit of marines of the AFU was sent to the village.