The retreating militants of the Ukrainian nationalist battalions on Sunday carried out sabotage at the Avdiivka coke and chemical plant in the Donetsk region, RIA Novosti reported, citing a source in the Russian defense ministry.

It was noted that a fire had started in this enterprise, and the resultant suffocating poisonous smoke had spread to the nearby settlements.

"It is impossible to extinguish the fire due to the ongoing military operations," the Russian defense ministry source added.