US position on Crimean Peninsula 'declaration of war': Crimea

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Crimea's Permanent Representative to the Russian President, Georgiy Muradov, called the US statement on the peninsula "a declaration of war," which Washington instructs to wage with other people's hands.

On Friday, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, said Washington recognizes Ukraine's right to plan and conduct military operations in Crimea since it considers the peninsula to be Ukrainian territory.

In response, Muradov said, "Kirby's statement on Crimea is a declaration of war on Russia, which the US instructs to wage with other people's bloody Nazi hands," as reported by Sputnik.

It is noteworthy that Crimea became part of Russia following a referendum held in March 2014 in which nearly 96% of Crimeans voted for accession to Russia.

While Ukraine still considers the peninsula to be its own territory, Russia has repeatedly stressed that the decision made by the Crimean people was in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter.

Read more: Russia temporarily bans cargo transport on Crimean bridge

Ukrainian troops shell Donetsk with 6 Grad rockets

In a separate context, Ukrainian troops have shelled the city of Donetsk using BM-21 Grad rockets, the Donetsk People’s Republic’s (DPR) mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes (JCCC) confirmed.

"Shelling was recorded from the side of the armed formations of Ukraine in the direction of: 2:26 [23:26 GMT on Friday] Tonenkoye village - city of Donetsk (Budyonnivskyi District) six rockets were fired from BM-21 ‘Grad’," the DPR mission said in a statement on Telegram.

According to DPR, three civilians were injured in the shelling.

Read more: Weapons supplied to Ukraine flooding Africa's black markets: DPR Head