Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, says "there are all grounds to believe" that the Ukrainian side is behind the murder of the leader of the "Donetsk People's Republic," Alexander Zakharchenko.
"In Donetsk, head of the Donetsk People's Republic Zakharchenko was killed in a terrorist act. There are all grounds to believe that the Kyiv regime is behind his murder, as it repeatedly used similar methods to eliminate dissidents and opponents," the Russian TASS agency quoted Zakharova as saying.
She went on to say that "instead of fulfilling the Minsk accords" and searching for ways to resolve what she called an "internal conflict," the "Kyiv war party implements the terror scenario, exacerbating the already difficult situation in the region."
Meanwhile, the so-called security forces of the "Donetsk People's Republic" reported on the arrest of "Ukrainian saboteurs" who militants claim are allegedly responsible for the death of terrorist leader Alexander Zakharchenko.
"Several people, Ukrainian saboteurs and related persons who are suspected of involvement in the attempt, were detained," as reported by Interfax, referring to the source in the terrorist organization.
Read alsoExpert predicts when and how "DPR" terrorist chief Zakharchenko to be toppled
At the same time, on August 28, that is, three days before the deadly blast, Ukrainian military columnist Yuriy Karin said the Kremlin would likely appoint someone more convenient for further negotiations with Ukraine instead of head of the "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") terrorist organization Alexander Zakharchenko in September.
"According to recently received data of the Information Resistance analytical group, the Kremlin will appoint a more convenient candidate instead of Zakharchenko in the coming weeks, [it will be] a specially trained person for coming to an understanding with a new, pro-Russian president of Ukraine. That is, it will be a figure without a bad background, criminal records and blood on his hands," Karin said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, leader of the "DPR" Alexander Zakharchenko was blown up in a Separ restaurant on Pushkin Street in the militant-held Donetsk.
The warlord died at a local hospital, where he was taken immediately after the explosion.
