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These events lack corrobative reporting as the number of journalists in East Ukraine is limited.
Slavyansk: Defenders killed by Ukrainian troops as civil war looms
BREAKING NEWS: KIEV AUTHORITIES A ‘JUNTA’
Vladimir Putin considers a military operation undertaken by authorities in Kiev against anti-government protesters in eastern Ukraine a crime, according to statement the president made at All-Russia People’s Front media forum.
Ukrainian army tanks, APCs, troops attack Slavyansk
(RT.com) – Fighting has erupted just outside Slavyansk, a town in east Ukraine where population voiced their protest against Kiev authorities. Ukrainian troops on tanks and armored vehicles are trying to break into the town.
According to Ukrainian Interior ministry, at least five self-defense guards have been killed and one policeman injured after the `antiterrorist operation’ launched by Kiev in the city. Three checkpoints erected by the anti-government protesters have also been destroyed.
Witnesses report on Twitter Slavyansk self-defense forces are now burning tires to hamper the entrance of infantry vehicles from Kiev into the city.
“Around 40 minutes ago fighting started on the outskirts of Slavyansk,” one of the leaders of self-defense forces, Miroslav Rudenko, told Interfax, “We are checking reports of one dead and one injured. There are shootings at a number of checkpoints at some of Slavyansk exit-roads.”
Rudenko said it was impossible to reach self-defense leaders in Slavyansk by phone, suspecting that mobile phone connection could have been switched off.
Civil war looms as fighting rages in eastern Ukraine LIVE Updates!
- ○ Moscow Times: Ukraine Troops Take Checkpoint North of Slovyansk
○ RFERL: Ukrainian Authorities Report Progress in Their “Anti-terrorist” Operation
○ The Guardian: Ukraine: government troops move against pro-Russian separatists – live updates
