Moldovan acting PM lays flowers in memory of civilians dead in east Ukraine city

Chisinau, 30 January /MOLDPRES/ - Acting Prime Minister Iurie Leanca today laid flowers and put down a message in a book of condolences opened at the embassy of Ukraine in Moldova, the government's communication and media relations department has reported. 

"The attacks on the Mariupol city, in the wake of which tens of civilians were killed and many others were wounded, made us deeply grieved. On behalf of the government of Moldova and on my own behalf, I express sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the dead, as well as to all those who suffered as a result of the armed actions in the region. I assure you that, on these dramatic days, the Moldovan people is by the side of the long-suffering nation of Ukraine," the message says. 

At least 30 civilians died and another over 100 were injured following a bombardment that occurred in the port city of Mariupol, the only big administrative unit under the control of governmental forces from eastern Ukraine, on 24 January. So far, over 5,000 people have been killed in the separatist conflict from eastern Ukraine, which started in March 2014.