ROSTOV-ON-DON. May 16 (Interfax) - Doctors in the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) have operated on LPR acting interior minister Igor Kornet, who sustained heavy injuries in an explosion in downtown Lugansk, and he has regained consciousness, LPR acting leader Leonid Pasechnik said.
The explosion did not result in any deaths, but eight people including Kornet were injured, Pasechnik said on social media on Tuesday, adding that doctors were fighting to save the life of a 17-year-old who is in critical condition.
"Igor Alexandrovich Kornet was also operated on, and is now conscious. All of the victims are receiving the full level of assistance," Pasechnik said.
Kornet was among visitors to a barbershop in central Lugansk when the explosion struck. According to Pasechnik's information, the incident was caused by a detonation.
The local branch of the Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal inquiry into attempted murder, the illegal acquisition of explosive substances and explosive devices, and an attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer, the committee's press service said.