KIEV, July 10 - A leading Russian separatist rebel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk made a rare appearance in public on Thursday to say he would not abandon the city though he defended his decision to pull out of the stronghold of Slovyansk.

Igor Girkin, a Muscovite who has the nom de guerre of Igor Strelkov, has been criticized by some other rebel commanders for withdrawing from Slovyansk last weekend and allowing government forces to savor a major victory, Reuters reported.