Zakharchenko threatens to take control of Vodafone-Ukraine in "DPR"

Moreover, "respective actions" are already under way, he said.

In his words, Vodafone-Ukraine's operation in the "republic" was suspended "because of subversive activity."

As was reported earlier, there has been no mobile service, which is provided by the Vodafone-Ukraine operator, in the occupied areas of Donetsk region for several days. The operator reported its equipment in the uncontrolled territory had been damaged. The "DPR," in turn, announced interruptions in communications of its own "Phoenix" mobile operator, which covers the occupied Donbas and reportedly uses the frequencies and equipment seized from another Ukrainian operator Kyivstar. The latter ceased work in the occupied territory late in 2015.

Read alsoZakharchenko asked to unite DPR, LPR into "Novorossiya", take leadVodafone-Ukraine announced it had already asked Ukraine's Donetsk Regional Administration, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) in Donbas to ensure conditions for repairing damaged telecoms lines in Donetsk region, according to the Hromadske media outlet.

Spokesperson for Vodafone-Ukraine Viktoria Ruban confirmed there was no mobile communications service in the "DPR"-controlled territory because the main cables of communications lines were damaged on January 11.

"One of the damages can be eliminated in the 'gray' zone. In practice, the damaged section can be repaired if there is physical access to the site," Ruban said.

Read alsoMilitants in Donbas claim 957 foreigners get "DPR passports" – Ukraine NGOAt the same time, she did not specify the location, because "this can be a subject of manipulation, and it's dangerous."

According to Ruban, the company has not yet received permission for repairs, as well as appropriate security guarantees for a repair team.

"We would like to restore [mobile] communications, because our people live there. As far as I know, there are no Ukrainian operators in the uncontrolled territory. The vast majority [of people] have used Vodafone, and these are several million people," she said.

In her words, Vodafone-Ukraine does not service "Phoenix" subscribers in "DNR"-controlled areas, as the Ukrainian company is a licensed operator and "Phoenix" has no valid licenses.

According to Ruban, all the Vodafone offices in the occupied territory are closed, and SIM cards are not sold there officially. Its accounts can only be topped up in the Ukrainian-controlled territory.