http://t.co/nfGq51bmNY Strelkov quits, hard to see how separatist narrative continues
— Nick Paton Walsh (@npwcnn) August 14, 2014
Here's an update from our news desk on Strelkov's reported resignation:
The self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" (DNR) in eastern Ukraine has announced the appointment of a new defense minister one day after unconfirmed reports that the previous DNR defense minister had been severely wounded.
Sergei Kavtaradze, a member of the security council for the pro-Russian, separatist DNR, said on today that Vladimir Kononov had been appointed acting defense minister to replace Igor Strelkov.
Strelkov has not been heard from since reports yesterday claimed he had been wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine.
The pro-separatist website novorosinform.com reported that Strelkov requested to be relieved of his post "in connection with a transfer to another position."
It was unclear why Strelkov himself did not make the announcement of his resignation but Kavtaradze said Strelkov was "alive, heathy, and everything is normal with him."
Strelkov is the third separatist leader to resign in the past week.
Earlier today, Valeriy Bolotov announced he was stepping down as leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.
(Interfax, novorosinform.com, Reuters)
Potentially big news here. This Life News report has former head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) saying that Igor Strelkov has resigned as defense minister of the DNR.
Бородай: Стрелков ушел в отставку с поста министра обороны ДНР http://t.co/Rpt3VpnyJw pic.twitter.com/xpp87k9MB5
— LIFENEWS (@lifenews_ru) August 14, 2014
How much did you think about MH17 since the convoy affair started? Old story, yeah?
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) August 14, 2014
We have made initial contact with the #Russia-led aid convoy, Rostov region, #Ukraine. Many practical details are still to be clarified.
— ICRC (@ICRC) August 14, 2014
MT @shaunwalker7: Russian convoy has stopped possibly for some time (reportedly till Aug 17). Field camp being set up pic.twitter.com/Q7KmfEY5qS
— Ukraine Reporter (@StateOfUkraine) August 14, 2014
My latest article on Western sanctions: Will Sanctions Stymie Russia’s Resurgence in #CentralAsia?http://t.co/SCA3Q9E4in via @Diplomat_APAC
— Ryskeldi Satke (@RyskeldiSatke) August 14, 2014
While the convoy waits, @ICRC, @OSCE say Ukraine and Russia must cooperate first. Kiev again says hand over to ICRC: http://t.co/8N7w1pujPy
— Nikolaus von Twickel (@niktwick) August 14, 2014
An @epaphotos correspondent saw this nice little vehicle when covering the aid convoy nr Kamensk Shakhtinsky pic.twitter.com/TB9VWoryfj
— Nikolaus von Twickel (@niktwick) August 14, 2014
@niktwick @epaphotos It is obviously just a huge coffee machine, isn't it?
— Олег Козловский (@kozlovsky) August 14, 2014