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Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russians shoot down two helicopters as 'Kiev forces begin Slovyansk assault' Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russians shoot down two helicopters as 'Kiev forces begin Slovyansk assault'
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainian government forces have launched a major anti-terror operation in the eastern city of Slaviansk to retake the rebel stronghold, with one pilot dead after separatists shot down one of the military aircraft surrounding the town.
Gunfire and blasts were heard early this morning around an eastern city in Ukraine that has become the focus of an armed pro-Russian insurgency, whose leaders claimed that government troops had began a military assault in an attempt to retake control.Gunfire and blasts were heard early this morning around an eastern city in Ukraine that has become the focus of an armed pro-Russian insurgency, whose leaders claimed that government troops had began a military assault in an attempt to retake control.
Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the insurgency-appointed mayor of Slovyansk, said self-defence forces had shot down two helicopters, killing one pilot and capturing the other. He said no Ukrainian troops could be seen in the city. Troops surrounded the eastern town in an offensive Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said was answered with heavy artillery, with the rebels using grenade and portable anti-aircraft missile launchers to bring down the plane.
The official spokesman for the military wing of the pro-Russian forces, who will give only his first name, Vladislav, said fighting had broken out at several points around the city. He said government armored vehicles were seen on roads leading into Slovyansk and claimed that Ukrainian troops had made incursions into the city itself. Describing the offensive as "the active phase of the anti-terrorist operation", Avakov said its goals were simple - "free the hostages, lay down their arms and free administrative buildings, and restore the normal functioning of the town's administration".
Details of these claims could not be independently confirmed. Mr Avakov confirmed a pilot had been killed.
On the road leading into Slovyansk from Kramatorsk to the south, trucks were parked sideways to block the road. "Against Ukraine's special forces, terrorists used heavy artillery, including grenade launchers and portable anti-aircraft missile launchers. One pilot is dead and there are wounded," he posted on his Facebook page.
An Associated Press cameraman saw black plumes of smoke on the edge of the city. An emergency siren had sounded at dawn. Pro-Russian separatists in Slaviansk described the operation as "large-scale", and said they had taken one pilot prisoner.
If the Ukrainian military action is confirmed, it would be the first major assault against the insurgents, who have seized police stations and other government buildings in about a dozen cities in southeastern Ukraine. On the road leading into Slaviansk from Kramatorsk to the south, trucks were parked sideways to block the road.
The armed element of the insurgency is focused on Slovyansk, a city 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Russia in which seven European military observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe remain held by pro-Russia gunmen. The fighting began at 4 am (1am GMT), officials and local residents said. Ukrainian troops could be in seen in armoured personnel carriers in a southern suburb of Slaviansk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Ukraine should withdraw its military from the eastern and southern regions of the country. An Associated Press cameraman reported seeing black plumes of smoke on the edge of the city. An emergency siren had sounded at dawn.
Hours later, Ukraine's acting president ordered that the military draft be renewed, citing “threats of encroachment on the nation's territorial integrity” and interference by Russia in its internal affairs. If the Ukrainian military action is confirmed, it would be the first major assault a
Moscow has consistently denounced Ukrainian security forces' largely ineffectual operation against the eastern insurgents and warned they should not commit violence against civilians. If the military action is confirmed, it will become the first large military response against the insurgents, who have seized police stations and other government buildings in about a dozen cities in southeastern Ukraine.
In a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin said the removal of military units was the “main thing,” but it was unclear if that could be construed as an outright demand. The violence comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Ukraine should withdraw its military from the eastern and southern regions of the country.  
Oleksandr Turchynov's conscription order marked a turnaround for the country, which last year announced plans to end military conscription in favor of an all-volunteer force. His order did not specify where conscript-bolstered forces could be deployed. The renewal of military conscription affects only men 18 to 25 years old. Just hours later Ukraine’s interim president announced the re-introduction of military conscription after admitting earlier this week police and security forces had been effectively "helpless" to quell the unrest in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Earlier in the week, the acting president said police and security forces had been effectively “helpless” against insurgents in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the heart of the unrest, and that efforts should be focused on preventing the instability from spreading to other parts of the country. He said efforts would instead be focused on preventing the instability from spreading to other parts of the country. 
AP