Donbas not at war because nearly hundred soldiers are in captivity - Semenchenko

Militants are holding 92 soldiers of the volunteer battalion Donbas as hostages to prevent the execution of its tasks in the ATO area.

Donbas Commander Semen Semenchenko told a press conference in Kyiv, a Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Today, the Donbas battalion "for two months cannot perform its tasks in the ATO area, because of prisoners. They are, in fact, hostages," Semenchenko said.

The battalion commander added that the Donbas battalion is not at war for "other reasons" too.

According to Semenchenko, currently militants are holding captive a total of about 400 men, soldiers of the Armed Forces, the Interior Ministry and volunteers.