photo from ihor zinkevych’s facebook page
23 February, heavy smoke appeared from the territory where the buildings of the Consulate General of Russia in Lviv are located. Rescuers arrived on the scene.
«According to preliminary information, a fire [started] at the Russian consulate in Lviv,» – Ihor Zinkevych, a deputy of the Lviv City Council, wrote on his Facebook page. He also published photos showing rescuers’ equipment. Under the message, local residents write that there was heavy smoke from the consulate last night, people assume that something was burned there during the night.
The spokesman of the State Emergency Service in the Lviv region Vitalii Turovtsev confirmed the information about the call to the Consulate General of Russia, which is located on the street Kostya Levitskoho, 95. However, he added that they were not allowed on the territory of the consulate, a representative of the consulate told them that the situation was under control.
We will add that yesterday, Russia began to evacuate the staff of embassies and consulates in Ukraine. This was reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Russian Consulate in Lviv suspended registration for the reception on 21 February.
Read also: Veterans of the war on Donbas push for eviction of Russian consulate from Lviv
We will remind that on 21 February, Vladimir Putin signed the decree on recognition of the independence of the occupied territories in Donbas. Foreign leaders have condemned Putin’s decision, saying it means the end of the Minsk process. Ukraine has called on Western partners to prevent Russia from starting World War III.
President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that Ukraine’s borders are well protected. Ukraine wants peace and expects decisive steps from its foreign partners. At the same time, US President Biden signed a decree on sanctions against occupied areas of Donbas. German Chancellor Scholz also announced the suspension of certification of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline.
Translated by Vitalii Holich
You can read a Ukrainian language version of this story here.
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Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.
