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| Ukraine forces 'helpless' to stop pro-Russia takeover in east | Ukraine forces 'helpless' to stop pro-Russia takeover in east |
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| Ukraine's police and security forces are helpless in the face of a pro-Russia takeover of government buildings in the east and are in some cases co-operating with the separatists, the interim president said. | Ukraine's police and security forces are helpless in the face of a pro-Russia takeover of government buildings in the east and are in some cases co-operating with the separatists, the interim president said. |
| Oleksandr Turchynov, addressing a meeting of regional governors, said his priority was to stop the agitation spreading to other parts of Ukraine. He also reiterated Kiev's fear of Russia beginning a land war and said Ukraine's armed forces had been put on full military readiness. | Oleksandr Turchynov, addressing a meeting of regional governors, said his priority was to stop the agitation spreading to other parts of Ukraine. He also reiterated Kiev's fear of Russia beginning a land war and said Ukraine's armed forces had been put on full military readiness. |
| Ukraine's armed forces will conduct military exercises in central Kiev on Wednesday night, the government said, following a new warning by Turchinov about the threat of a Russian invasion. | |
| A statement on the government website warned residents that "columns of military hardware will move through the city". | |
| The beleaguered government's slim hold on law and order in the east was further undermined on Wednesday as pro-Russian separatists seized control of state buildings in Horlivka, almost unopposed by police. | The beleaguered government's slim hold on law and order in the east was further undermined on Wednesday as pro-Russian separatists seized control of state buildings in Horlivka, almost unopposed by police. |
| The town of almost 300,000 people sits just north of Donetsk, where mainly Russian-speaking separatists have declared a "People's Republic" and plan a referendum on secession on 11 May. | The town of almost 300,000 people sits just north of Donetsk, where mainly Russian-speaking separatists have declared a "People's Republic" and plan a referendum on secession on 11 May. |
| "They've taken them: the government administration and police," a police official in Donetsk told Reuters. | "They've taken them: the government administration and police," a police official in Donetsk told Reuters. |
| On Tuesday, 3,000 activists – some in masks and military fatigues – stormed the regional government HQ in the eastern city of Luhansk. Police supposedly guarding the building let the crowd inside. | On Tuesday, 3,000 activists – some in masks and military fatigues – stormed the regional government HQ in the eastern city of Luhansk. Police supposedly guarding the building let the crowd inside. |
| "I will be frank: today, security forces are unable to quickly take the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions under control," Turchynov told the governors. "The security bodies … are unable to carry out their duties of protecting citizens. They are helpless in those matters. Moreover, some of those units are either helping or co-operating with terrorist organisations." | "I will be frank: today, security forces are unable to quickly take the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions under control," Turchynov told the governors. "The security bodies … are unable to carry out their duties of protecting citizens. They are helpless in those matters. Moreover, some of those units are either helping or co-operating with terrorist organisations." |
| The pro-Russians, who the Kiev government calls terrorists, now control buildings in about a dozen cities in eastern Ukraine. The unwillingness of security structures to defend public buildings from separatist occupation has been a theme in eastern Ukraine since early April. Supporters of the "Donetsk People's Republic" have taken over a string of city halls and police stations. An armed unit from Crimea – led by an alleged Russian colonel – has also established a de facto military capital in the town of Slavyansk. | The pro-Russians, who the Kiev government calls terrorists, now control buildings in about a dozen cities in eastern Ukraine. The unwillingness of security structures to defend public buildings from separatist occupation has been a theme in eastern Ukraine since early April. Supporters of the "Donetsk People's Republic" have taken over a string of city halls and police stations. An armed unit from Crimea – led by an alleged Russian colonel – has also established a de facto military capital in the town of Slavyansk. |
| But in recent days Kiev's tentative grip on local law enforcement in the east appears to have slipped completely. In Luhansk on Tuesday, riot police stood passively in a courtyard, kettled in by separatists armed with bats and hammers. "The regional leadership does not control its police force," Stanislav Rechynsky, an aide to the interior minister in Kiev, told Reuters. "The local police did nothing." | But in recent days Kiev's tentative grip on local law enforcement in the east appears to have slipped completely. In Luhansk on Tuesday, riot police stood passively in a courtyard, kettled in by separatists armed with bats and hammers. "The regional leadership does not control its police force," Stanislav Rechynsky, an aide to the interior minister in Kiev, told Reuters. "The local police did nothing." |
| On Monday in Donetsk, another contingent of riot police in full battle gear looked on as pro-Russian thugs attacked a peaceful pro-unity rally. The separatists beat Ukraine supporters with iron rods. Fourteen people needed hospital treatment. Two were seriously injured. The mob also took five hostages, supporters of the city's Shakhtar Donetsk football team who had formed a protective cordon at the front of the rally. The five were taken to an office near Donetsk's occupied regional administration. They were eventually released on Tuesday. | On Monday in Donetsk, another contingent of riot police in full battle gear looked on as pro-Russian thugs attacked a peaceful pro-unity rally. The separatists beat Ukraine supporters with iron rods. Fourteen people needed hospital treatment. Two were seriously injured. The mob also took five hostages, supporters of the city's Shakhtar Donetsk football team who had formed a protective cordon at the front of the rally. The five were taken to an office near Donetsk's occupied regional administration. They were eventually released on Tuesday. |
| Later on Tuesday, seven or eight police officers in light blue uniforms stood outside the office where the hostages had been kept. The scene was peaceful. A few feet away volunteers from the "Donetsk People's Republic", dressed in military fatigues, guarded the entrance. They wore orange and black ribbons, the symbols of the "republic's" anti-Kiev revolution. The two groups appeared to be on friendly terms. | Later on Tuesday, seven or eight police officers in light blue uniforms stood outside the office where the hostages had been kept. The scene was peaceful. A few feet away volunteers from the "Donetsk People's Republic", dressed in military fatigues, guarded the entrance. They wore orange and black ribbons, the symbols of the "republic's" anti-Kiev revolution. The two groups appeared to be on friendly terms. |
| Asked if the police had gone over to the separatists, the captain in charge, Yevgeny, said: "Among the police there are different opinions. Obviously our job is to uphold the law and apply it neutrally." | Asked if the police had gone over to the separatists, the captain in charge, Yevgeny, said: "Among the police there are different opinions. Obviously our job is to uphold the law and apply it neutrally." |
| The "republic" has announced its own referendum on the region's future, to be held on 11 May. "I don't make any secret of the fact that I'm for a referendum," Yevgeny added. Another policeman chipped in: "We'll take part. Personally I'm for Russia". | The "republic" has announced its own referendum on the region's future, to be held on 11 May. "I don't make any secret of the fact that I'm for a referendum," Yevgeny added. Another policeman chipped in: "We'll take part. Personally I'm for Russia". |
| The police were reluctant to talk about the bloody events of the previous night, when they failed to protect civilians from attack. But one officer who was there said: "This situation is all Kiev's fault. They say we in the east are slaves, half-humans. They revere people like Stepan Bandera [the second world war Ukrainian nationalist leader] who shot our brothers. We are normal citizens like everyone else." | The police were reluctant to talk about the bloody events of the previous night, when they failed to protect civilians from attack. But one officer who was there said: "This situation is all Kiev's fault. They say we in the east are slaves, half-humans. They revere people like Stepan Bandera [the second world war Ukrainian nationalist leader] who shot our brothers. We are normal citizens like everyone else." |
| Standing next to their patrol car, still striped with Ukraine's blue and yellow colours, the officers reeled off a list of grievances. These included low pay – $200-$250 (£120) a month. (One policewoman, Svetlana, said: "I'm supposed to give my life for this. Who is going to come to my mother afterwards and say "thanks for your daughter?") They also complained that a mistrustful Kiev had confiscated their service revolvers three weeks ago. "I can't exactly defend myself," Yevgeny said, showing off his empty holster. | Standing next to their patrol car, still striped with Ukraine's blue and yellow colours, the officers reeled off a list of grievances. These included low pay – $200-$250 (£120) a month. (One policewoman, Svetlana, said: "I'm supposed to give my life for this. Who is going to come to my mother afterwards and say "thanks for your daughter?") They also complained that a mistrustful Kiev had confiscated their service revolvers three weeks ago. "I can't exactly defend myself," Yevgeny said, showing off his empty holster. |
| The captain said he was one of 400 Donetsk region police officers sent to the capital to deal with anti-Yanukovych demonstrations, which began last November. The experience had left him bitterly disillusioned. He had nothing but contempt for the new government, part-formed from the protest movement, he said. Other officers who had not been in Kiev repeated claims made by Russian TV that the Maidan protesters were paid narco-maniacs, and unemployed "fascists". | The captain said he was one of 400 Donetsk region police officers sent to the capital to deal with anti-Yanukovych demonstrations, which began last November. The experience had left him bitterly disillusioned. He had nothing but contempt for the new government, part-formed from the protest movement, he said. Other officers who had not been in Kiev repeated claims made by Russian TV that the Maidan protesters were paid narco-maniacs, and unemployed "fascists". |
| The police even had sympathy for pro-Russian gunmen in Slavyansk, who are holding 40 people prisoner, including seven European military observers. One officer said: "Kiev started all this by arresting our activists. They [in Slavyansk] are merely defending their rights." | The police even had sympathy for pro-Russian gunmen in Slavyansk, who are holding 40 people prisoner, including seven European military observers. One officer said: "Kiev started all this by arresting our activists. They [in Slavyansk] are merely defending their rights." |
| The US embassy in Kiev said on Tuesday the abduction of the OSCE inspectors and the attack on demonstrators by pro-Russian thugs in Donetsk on Monday were acts of terrorism. | The US embassy in Kiev said on Tuesday the abduction of the OSCE inspectors and the attack on demonstrators by pro-Russian thugs in Donetsk on Monday were acts of terrorism. |
| "There is no place for these examples of inhuman behaviour in a modern, democratic society. This is terrorism, pure and simple," it said in a statement. | "There is no place for these examples of inhuman behaviour in a modern, democratic society. This is terrorism, pure and simple," it said in a statement. |
| Serhiy Taruta, the new governor sent by Kiev to head the Donetsk region, admits that the police and security services in the east are not doing their job. His officials attribute this to what they call "post-Maidan syndrome". | Serhiy Taruta, the new governor sent by Kiev to head the Donetsk region, admits that the police and security services in the east are not doing their job. His officials attribute this to what they call "post-Maidan syndrome". |
| Many were sent to the capital, and were told that the protesters in Kiev were their enemies. Now back in the east, the same enemies are running the country. They are also unsure whether Viktor Yanukovych – the president who fled to Russia – might come back again. | Many were sent to the capital, and were told that the protesters in Kiev were their enemies. Now back in the east, the same enemies are running the country. They are also unsure whether Viktor Yanukovych – the president who fled to Russia – might come back again. |
| One official said: "They [the police in the east] feel a mental fight over who is their master. The problem is they are not sure if it is Kiev, or Yanukovych and his family. We've had a lot of conversations with commanders and officers. They are people from here, and they feel angry and afraid." | One official said: "They [the police in the east] feel a mental fight over who is their master. The problem is they are not sure if it is Kiev, or Yanukovych and his family. We've had a lot of conversations with commanders and officers. They are people from here, and they feel angry and afraid." |
| The official said the Donetsk police were acutely aware that the Russian police salary was $2,000 – 10 times higher than their own. They also regarded the Berkut riot police – disbanded for their alleged role in the shooing of Maidan protesters – as local heroes. The Donetsk police chief, Konstantin Pozhidaev, was doing all he could, the official said, conceding: "It will take more time to achieve meaningful order." | The official said the Donetsk police were acutely aware that the Russian police salary was $2,000 – 10 times higher than their own. They also regarded the Berkut riot police – disbanded for their alleged role in the shooing of Maidan protesters – as local heroes. The Donetsk police chief, Konstantin Pozhidaev, was doing all he could, the official said, conceding: "It will take more time to achieve meaningful order." |
| With a separatist referendum looming, Donetsk's pro-Kiev administrators have little time left. Much of the region is unlikely to vote, but that will probably not deter the "People's Republic" from declaring an overwhelming victory. One self-appointed "deputy", Anatoly Aneshenko, said on Tuesday the oblast, or region, was certain to declare autonomy. | With a separatist referendum looming, Donetsk's pro-Kiev administrators have little time left. Much of the region is unlikely to vote, but that will probably not deter the "People's Republic" from declaring an overwhelming victory. One self-appointed "deputy", Anatoly Aneshenko, said on Tuesday the oblast, or region, was certain to declare autonomy. |
| What would happen to those who opposed this outcome? "Well, they can leave," he said. | What would happen to those who opposed this outcome? "Well, they can leave," he said. |