Ukrainians of Greek Descent Die In Mortar Attack Near Mariupol

HellasFrappe is in dismay over the reports of a bloody killing of several Diaspora Greeks who died in a mortar attack near the town of Mariupol in Ukraine. During the Ukrainian West-East conflict the Diaspora in this area was pretty safe but they too have now begun to suffer their first losses. The ongoing civil conflict between government forces and pro-Russian rebels has claimed the lives of thousands of people in recent months.

According to press reports, the village of Sartan, which is located in the Donetsk region, and which is predominantly populated by people of Greek descent, was attacked with mortar rounds, earlier this week. The incident killed seven people and wounded 17 others.

The village is located 10 kilometers away from Mariupol.

The Greek consul in Mariupol Dimitris Papadimitriou stated that there were Greeks amongst the dead, but was unable to confirm the number.

He told the Ta Nea newspaper that until now there had been no tension witnessed in these areas, despite the fact that the village is near the frontline. (Of course that was then, and this is now.)