KYIV. Feb 20 (Interfax) - Ukraine's Security Service has issued a clarification explaining that in an earlier statement its chief, Oleksandr Yakymenko, said the service was organizing "a counterterrorist operation" but had not started it yet.
"We clarify that what was meant was not the beginning of a special anti-terrorist operation but preparations for it. The reason for this is the escalation of violent confrontations," the Security Service press center told Interfax.
Earlier it was said that the Ukrainian Security Service and Antiterrorist Center are beginning an antiterrorist operation in the country.
"The Ukrainian Security Service and Antiterrorist Center decided today to start holding an antiterrorist operation in Ukraine. I have already informed the president of the decision regarding holding the antiterrorist operation," the statement said citing the Ukrainian Security Service Head Oleksandr Yakymenko.
The events of the past day showed "growing escalation of forceful resistance and mass use of arms by extremist-minded groups," Yakymenko said.
"In many regions of the country local authorities, structures of the Interior Ministry, Security Service, prosecutor's office, military units and storage facilities with ammunition are being seized. Court offices are burning and vandals are destroying private apartments and killing civilians," the statement said.
In the past 24 hours alone over 1,500 units of firearms and 100,000 pieces of ammunition ended up in criminal hands, Yakymenko said.