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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 Slavyansk 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. Ukrainian government forces have launched an anti-terror operation to retake the rebel stronghold of Slavyansk, with one pilot reported dead and another captured after separatists used grenade launchers against military helicopters surrounding the city.
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 the 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.
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. Ukrainian officials said Slavuyansk was "tightly surrounded" and called on separatist leaders to release hostages and surrender.
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". Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the offensive was answered with heavy artillery, with the rebels using grenade and portable anti-aircraft missile launchers to bring down planes.
Mr Avakov confirmed a pilot had been killed. Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the insurgency-appointed mayor of Slavyansk, said self-defence forces had shot down two helicopters, killing one pilot and capturing the other. Details of these claims could not be independently verified.
"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. Describing the operation as "the active phase of the anti-terrorist operation", Mr 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".
Pro-Russian separatists in Slaviansk described the operation as "large-scale", and said they had taken one pilot prisoner. This morning, Mr Avakov confirmed a pilot had been killed on his Facebook page.
On the road leading into Slaviansk 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 said in a post.
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. On the road leading into Slavyansk from Kramatorsk to the south, trucks were parked sideways to block the road.
The fighting began at 4am (1am GMT), officials and local residents said. Ukrainian troops could be in seen in armoured personnel carriers in a southern suburb of Slavyansk.
An Associated Press cameraman reported seeing black plumes of smoke on the edge of the city. An emergency siren had sounded at dawn.An Associated Press cameraman reported seeing black plumes of smoke on the edge of the city. An emergency siren had sounded at dawn.
If the Ukrainian military action is confirmed, it would be the first major assault a 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.
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.
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.  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.  
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. Just hours later Ukraine’s interim president announced the renewal of military conscription for men aged between 18 and 25 after admitting earlier this week police and security forces had been effectively "helpless" to quell the unrest in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
He said efforts would instead be focused on preventing the instability from spreading to other parts of the country.  Oleksandr Turchynov said efforts would instead be focused on preventing the instability from spreading to other parts of the country.