In Makiyivka, Donetsk People’s Republic gunmen took newspaper editor in unknown direction

On June 17, in Makiyivka, Donetsk oblast, armed men, who called themselves representatives of Donetsk People’s Republic, took in unknown direction the director general of the printing and publishing integrated works “Presa Makiyivky” Larysa Butova and the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Vechirnia Makiyivka” Maria Semenova. According to the newspaper’s editorial office, around 10 a.m. two armed men in camouflage came into the “Vechirnia Makiyivka” office and introduced themselves as the “security service of Donetsk People’s Republic.” Representatives of Donetsk People’s Republic claimed that this visit was connected to the dissatisfaction with the media outlet’s editorial policy.

After a lengthy conversation they took Butova and Semenova to a car and drove to an unknown destination, allegedly for a talk with a commander of the so-called «Russian Orthodox Army.»

Both Butova and Semenova were released after 8 p.m.