Vladimir Pavlenko, mayor of Slavyansk who was appointed by the separatists, confirmed that separatists have left Slavyansk clarifying that Ukrainian forces have not reached the city.

At first, pro-Russian separatists refuted the information stated by the Interior minister Arsen Avakov.

“A significant number of militants have left Slaviansk … along the way, our battle groups are greeting them,” Interior minister Arsen Avakov in a statement.

Aleksandr Borodai, a leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, admitted that pro-Russians separatists have left Slavyansk by saying: “The punitive forces of Ukraine … moved into a large-scale offensive.”

“Given the disproportionate numerical superiority of the enemy troops, our armed forces were forced to leave their previous positions,” he said.

President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the military to raise the Ukrainian flag over public buildings in Slaviansk. He also stated that he is ready for truce, but there is no confirmation up to now regarding a new debate.