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Ukraine crisis: Sloviansk rebels down army helicopters Ukraine crisis: Sloviansk rebels down army helicopters
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian rebels have shot down two of Ukraine's army helicopters during an "anti-terror" operation in the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says.Pro-Russian rebels have shot down two of Ukraine's army helicopters during an "anti-terror" operation in the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says.
Ukraine's military said a pilot and serviceman were killed and nine rebel checkpoints seized.Ukraine's military said a pilot and serviceman were killed and nine rebel checkpoints seized.
However, separatists at three Sloviansk checkpoints told the BBC they were still in control there.However, separatists at three Sloviansk checkpoints told the BBC they were still in control there.
Russia says Kiev's actions "killed the last hope" for a deal agreed last month in Geneva aimed at defusing the crisis.Russia says Kiev's actions "killed the last hope" for a deal agreed last month in Geneva aimed at defusing the crisis.
On Thursday, Russia's foreign ministry warned that any assaults by Ukraine's troops in the region would have "catastrophic consequences", triggering fears of an invasion by Moscow. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov also described Ukraine's operation as "punitive".
And Mr Peskov said that contact had been lost with Russian envoy Vladimir Lukin sent to the south-eastern Ukraine.
Russia's foreign ministry earlier warned that any assaults by Ukraine's troops in the region would have "catastrophic consequences", triggering fears of an invasion by Moscow.
Separately, reports are coming that several foreign journalists have been detained in Sloviansk.
Sloviansk is a stronghold for pro-Russian separatists who are exerting increasing control in the region.Sloviansk is a stronghold for pro-Russian separatists who are exerting increasing control in the region.
'Professional mercenaries' 'Full combat alert'
In a statement on Friday , Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the "active phase" of the operation began at 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT).In a statement on Friday , Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the "active phase" of the operation began at 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT).
He said interior troops and the National Guard were involved in the operation in the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk region.He said interior troops and the National Guard were involved in the operation in the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk region.
"The terrorists opened fire with heavy weapons against Ukrainian special units."The terrorists opened fire with heavy weapons against Ukrainian special units.
"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."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.
Russia's state-run Rossiya 24 TV channel said the city was being "stormed".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.It quoted Sloviansk's rebel leader Igor Strelkov as saying that the city was completely sealed off.
The fighting appears to be concentrating on the periphery of the city, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford, who is in the regional capital Donetsk.The fighting appears to be concentrating on the periphery of the city, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford, who is in the regional capital Donetsk.
However, there were no reports of Ukrainian government troops entering the city itself.However, there were no reports of Ukrainian government troops entering the city itself.
Local residents were later quoted as saying that the situation in the city calmed down but remained tense.Local residents were later quoted as saying that the situation in the city calmed down but remained tense.
Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Olexandr Turchynov reinstated military conscription.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.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 ended in the early 1990s.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 Putin to help free foreign military monitors seized by rebels in Slovianks last week.
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'.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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