Poroshenko: Enemy hits ATO HQ in Kramatorsk, neighboring residential areas by 'Tornado'

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has reported that on Tuesday morning militants hit ATO headquarters in Kramatorsk, as well as neighboring residential areas, with a Tornado multiple rocket launcher system.

"25 minutes ago a 'Tornado' multiple rocket launcher hit 'Sarmat', the chief headquarters of the anti-terrorist forces located in Kramatorsk. The strike hit the headquarters, another strike hit the residential areas of Kramatorsk," Poroshenko said, while delivering a speech in parliament on Tuesday.

According to the president, the attack led to deaths and injuries among military personnel and civilians, the exact number of casualties is currently unknown.

He noted that both Kramatorsk and Sloviansk are a part of a safe zone, and that soldiers serving there are not considered to be ATO participants.

In addition, head of the Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry in Donetsk region Viacheslav Abroskyn wrote on Facebook that "according to the preliminary data, one person is dead, six civilians are wounded." The press service of the Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry in Donetsk region reported that the shelling of Kramatorsk had lasted for 5 minutes.

"One of the shells fell on the territory of airfield, there's smoke [over it]. The blast damaged transport and retail facilities on the streets near the airfield," reads the statement. The police are verifying information on casualties.

In turn, Donetsk Regional State Administration reported that, according to preliminary information, the shells were fired by Tornado multiple rocket launcher systems near the militant controlled town of Horlivka. The shells hit the airfield and houses in the vicinity of Kramatorsk. The scale of destruction is being verified.

"It's worth mentioning that Tornado multiple rocket launcher systems are in the operational service of the Russian Armed Forces," reads the statement released by the regional state administration.