DONETSK. Sept 3 (Interfax) - A rocket launcher volley was fired at the Donetsk airport zone from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) positions at 9:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Shooting can be heard there now, an Interfax correspondent reports from the site.
"For a long period of time our groups have been disturbing the enemy, which consolidated its defense on the airport premises. The rocket launcher volley and the shooting can indicate the beginning of a new storm. The storm will be kept secret until the very last moment. After all, this is a strategic facility, which is rather important for us and the enemy," the DPR defense department said.
It said the operation would be difficult due to a vast network of the airport's underground passages. The DPR military are confident that the enemy has taken that circumstance into consideration and has thoroughly prepared for the storm.
The Ukrainian army took control of the airport in early May. Since then the airport has been transformed into a fortress, the DPR defense department said.
Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Information Analysis Center speaker Andriy Lysenko claimed at a press briefing on Tuesday that the Ukrainian army retained control of the Donetsk airport.
Speaking of the Luhansk airport, Lysenko said, "After our troops had left the Luhansk airport, our sappers blew up the runway and made its use impossible."