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Ukraine forces move on pro-Russia rebel-held Sloviansk Ukraine pilot killed in Sloviansk military operation
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine's government forces have begun an "anti-terror" operation in the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says. Ukraine says its government forces are continuing an "anti-terror" operation in the eastern city of Sloviansk.
Ukraine's interior minister said one helicopter pilot had been killed and other people wounded by anti-aircraft missile fire from pro-Russian rebels. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said one Ukrainian pilot had been killed, and other people wounded. Nine rebel checkpoints had been seized, he said.
However, separatists at three Sloviansk checkpoints have told the BBC there is no fighting in their sector. However, separatists at three Sloviansk checkpoints told the BBC they were still in control there.
The city is a stronghold for pro-Russian separatists who are exerting increasing control in the region. Pro-Russian gunmen have shot down at least two helicopters, reportedly capturing one pilot.
News agencies report gunfire, explosions and a military helicopter firing on the outskirts. The fighting appears to be concentrating on the periphery of the city, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in the regional capital Donetsk.
CJ Chivers, a New York Time journalist in the city, tweeted a short time ago that there was "very little gunfire in Sloviansk now". Sloviansk is a stronghold for pro-Russian separatists who are exerting increasing control in the region.
Russia's state-run Rossiya 24 TV channel earlier said the city was being "stormed". On Thursday, Russia's foreign ministry warned that any assaults by Ukraine's troops in the region would have "catastrophic consequences", triggering fears an invasion by Moscow.
On Wednesday, Russia's foreign ministry warned that any storming would have "catastrophic consequences". 'Professional mercenaries'
Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Olexandr Turchynov reinstated military conscription to deal with deteriorating security in the east of the country. In a statement on Friday , Mr Avakov said the "active phase" of the operation began at 04:30 local time (02:20 GMT).
The move, announced in a decree, came as pro-Russia militants seized the regional prosecutor's office in the city of Donetsk, an industrial hub where a number of government offices have been seized in recent weeks. He said interior troops and the National Guard were involved in the operation in the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk region.
They forced their way into the building, stripped weapons and shields from police officers and raised the flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. "The terrorists opened fire with heavy weapons against Ukrainian special units.
Ukraine blames Russia for organising the seizures of a number of offices in the east, a claim Moscow denies. "A real battle with professional mercenaries is going on," Mr Avakov said, adding that the separatists were using the tactics of hiding behind civilians in residential buildings.
Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed near the Ukrainian border. Russia's state-run Rossiya 24 TV channel said the city was being "stormed".
It quoted Sloviansk's rebel leader Igor Strelkov as saying that the city was completely sealed off.
Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Olexandr Turchynov reinstated military conscription.
Mr Turchynov said his forces were "helpless" to quell the unrest in some parts of the east, saying the goal was now to prevent it from spreading.Mr Turchynov said his forces were "helpless" to quell the unrest in some parts of the east, saying the goal was now to prevent it from spreading.
He also said Ukraine was on "full combat alert" amid fears that Russian troops could invade.He also said Ukraine was on "full combat alert" amid fears that Russian troops could invade.
Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed near the Ukrainian border.
Monitors heldMonitors held
Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and was a stronghold for President Viktor Yanukovych before he was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and was a stronghold for President Viktor Yanukovych before he was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.
Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine but with a Russian-speaking majority - in a move that provoked international outrage.Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine but with a Russian-speaking majority - in a move that provoked international outrage.
The crisis has plunged East-West relations to their lowest point since the Cold War. The crisis has plunged East-West relations to their lowest point since the Cold War ended in the early 1990s.
On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Russia in a phone call to President Vladimir Putin to help free foreign monitors held in eastern Ukraine.On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Russia in a phone call to President Vladimir Putin to help free foreign monitors held in eastern Ukraine.
The military observers were seized by pro-Russia separatists at a checkpoint in the flashpoint town of Sloviansk last Friday.The military observers were seized by pro-Russia separatists at a checkpoint in the flashpoint town of Sloviansk last Friday.
For his part, Mr Putin reiterated his call for Kiev to withdraw troops from the south-east to open the way for a national dialogue.For his part, Mr Putin reiterated his call for Kiev to withdraw troops from the south-east to open the way for a national dialogue.
Mrs Merkel is due to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington on Friday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.Mrs Merkel is due to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington on Friday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.
Are you in Sloviansk? Do you have any information to share? Send us your comments? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Sloviansk'.Are you in Sloviansk? Do you have any information to share? Send us your comments? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Sloviansk'.
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