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​Ukraine army launches assault on rebel stronghold ​Ukraine army launches assault on rebel stronghold
(about 4 hours later)
SLOVYANSK, Ukraine — The Ukrainian army launched its first major assault on a rebel stronghold in the east of the country on Friday, provoking the heaviest fighting since a pro-Russian uprising began a month ago. Two military helicopters were shot down, and at least seven people were reported killed. DONESTSK, Ukraine — Ukraine suffered its bloodiest day in three months on Friday, with at least nine people killed when the army launched its first major assault on a rebel stronghold in the east of the country and 34 killed in clashes between pro-Ukranian and pro-Russian mobs in the Black Sea port city of Odessa.
Ukraine’s acting President, Oleksandr Turchynov, said the action was intended to protect civilians from “mercenaries of foreign states, terrorists and criminals who are taking hostages, killing and torturing people, and threatening the territorial integrity and stability of Ukraine.” The Ukrainian army attacked the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk at dawn, provoking the heaviest military fighting since a pro-Russian uprising began a month ago. The military took control of the major checkpoints outside the city but was unable to force its way into the center, and two of its helicopters were shot down.
But the biggest loss of lives came in Odessa. A pro-Ukrainian rally, attended by thousands of soccer fans before a game Friday night, was attacked by pro-Russian separatists. The two sides fought running battles through the city in the afternoon, throwing stones and rocks at each other and erecting barricades. At least three people were killed.
Later Friday evening, the pro-Ukrainian mob attacked a camp where the pro-Russian supporters were based in tents, forcing them to flee to a nearby government building, a witness said. They then threw gasoline bombs into the building. Police said 31 people were killed, choked to death on smoke or after jumping out of windows.
Asked who had thrown the molotov cocktails, pro-Ukrainian activist Diana Berg said: “Our people -- but now they are helping them to escape the building.”
It amounted to the deadliest day of the Ukrainian crisis since February, when scores of people were killed — many by snipers — in protests against then President Viktor Yanukovych.
Ukraine’s acting President Oleksandr Turchynov, said Friday that the military assault on the eastern city of Slovyansk was intended to protect civilians from “mercenaries of foreign states, terrorists and criminals who are taking hostages, killing and torturing people, and threatening the territorial integrity and stability of Ukraine.”
But a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin called the offensive a “criminal” act and said it had “effectively destroyed the last hope for the implementation of the Geneva agreements” reached on April 17 and intended to defuse the crisis. Under the accord, signed by Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union, separatists were supposed to lay down their arms and vacate government buildings they have occupied in eastern Ukraine.But a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin called the offensive a “criminal” act and said it had “effectively destroyed the last hope for the implementation of the Geneva agreements” reached on April 17 and intended to defuse the crisis. Under the accord, signed by Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union, separatists were supposed to lay down their arms and vacate government buildings they have occupied in eastern Ukraine.
In Washington, President Obama expressed strong support Friday for the Ukrainian offensive and said the United States and Europe “are united in our determination to impose costs on Russia for its actions” in destabilizing eastern Ukraine.In Washington, President Obama expressed strong support Friday for the Ukrainian offensive and said the United States and Europe “are united in our determination to impose costs on Russia for its actions” in destabilizing eastern Ukraine.
In a joint news conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama said: “As Ukrainian forces move to restore order in eastern Ukraine, it is obvious to the world that these Russian-backed groups are not peaceful protesters. They are heavily armed militants who are receiving significant support from Russia. The Ukrainian government has the right and responsibility to uphold law and order within its territory, and Russia needs to use its influence over these paramilitary gorups so they disarm and stop provoking violence.”In a joint news conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama said: “As Ukrainian forces move to restore order in eastern Ukraine, it is obvious to the world that these Russian-backed groups are not peaceful protesters. They are heavily armed militants who are receiving significant support from Russia. The Ukrainian government has the right and responsibility to uphold law and order within its territory, and Russia needs to use its influence over these paramilitary gorups so they disarm and stop provoking violence.”
Obama also denounced the “appalling treatment” of seven members of a European security monitoring organization — including four Germans — who have been taken hostage by pro-Russian separatists. “It is disgraceful, and it is inexcusable,” Obama said. “Russia needs to work to secure their immediate release.” Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine, and Friday’s developments raised the risks of a Russian military response. Russian officials have said they would intervene in Ukraine to protect ethnic Russians, and the Kremlin said Friday that Putin was “closely following developments.”
Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine, and Friday’s developments raised the risks of a Russian military response. Russian officials have said they would intervene in Ukraine to protect ethnic Russians. Putin on Friday was “closely following developments in southeast Ukraine,” the Kremlin said. At the U.N. Security Council, Russia and the United States again traded accusations and insults. Using Cold War language, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said that if the “criminal misadvantures of the Kiev clique are not stopped…catastrophic consequences cannot be avoided.”
Ukrainian troops attacked the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk at dawn, meeting heavy resistance from pro-Russian separatists. After three or four hours of clashes, they had taken control of checkpoints on the main roads in and out of the city, but the center of Slovyansk remained in rebel hands. The fighting subsided by the afternoon. The United States, France and Britain were scathing in their responses.
Two Ukrainian Mi-24 attack helicopters were shot down and two crew members killed, while seven soldiers were wounded in the offensive, the government said. One helicopter pilot was captured by the rebels and transferred to a local hospital, medics told local media. “A pyromaniac fireman situation is what we have here,” French U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud said. Russia is “screaming in order to make us forget that this path was set long ago, and it’s no longer possible to go backwards.”
Ukrainian troops attacked the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk at dawn, meeting heavy resistance from pro-Russian separatists. After three or four hours of clashes, they had taken control of checkpoints on the main roads in and out of the city, but the center of Slovyansk remained in rebel hands. The fighting subsided by the afternoon but resumed in the evening.
Two Ukrainian Mi-24 attack helicopters were shot down and two crew members killed, while seven soldiers were wounded in the offensive, the government said. One helicopter pilot was captured by the rebels and transferred to a hospital, medics told local media.
Rebels said three of their fighters and two civilians were killed. But Turchynov said many “criminals” were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.Rebels said three of their fighters and two civilians were killed. But Turchynov said many “criminals” were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
Stella Khorosheva, rebel spokeswoman, posted on her Facebook account: “The situation is stable on the streets, but there is a high risk of full-scale action. In short, it’s war.”Stella Khorosheva, rebel spokeswoman, posted on her Facebook account: “The situation is stable on the streets, but there is a high risk of full-scale action. In short, it’s war.”
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said a third helicopter, an Mi-8 transport reportedly carrying medics, was also hit and a service member wounded.Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said a third helicopter, an Mi-8 transport reportedly carrying medics, was also hit and a service member wounded.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the army attacked at 4:30 a.m. local time and came under heavy fire from what he called “terrorists” and “professional mercenaries,” as it attempted to take the city.
“Against Ukraine’s special forces, terrorists used heavy fire, including grenade launchers and antiaircraft rocket launchers,” he posted on his Facebook page. “It is the real battle with professional mercenaries.”
The Ukrainian Security Service said its fighters were facing “highly skilled foreign military men” in Slovyansk. It said one of the helicopters was shot down with a surface-to-air missile, which it said undercut Russia’s claims that the city is under the control of civilians who bought arms in “hunting stores.”The Ukrainian Security Service said its fighters were facing “highly skilled foreign military men” in Slovyansk. It said one of the helicopters was shot down with a surface-to-air missile, which it said undercut Russia’s claims that the city is under the control of civilians who bought arms in “hunting stores.”
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt agreed. “Ukrainian helicopters shot down in Slovyansk. Some elderly ladies bought some RPGs or missiles at the local grocery store, I assume,” he posted on Twitter.Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt agreed. “Ukrainian helicopters shot down in Slovyansk. Some elderly ladies bought some RPGs or missiles at the local grocery store, I assume,” he posted on Twitter.
The European Union says it is watching the latest developments in eastern Ukraine with growing concern, and NATO has said it must view Russia as an adversary in light of apparent efforts to destabilize the region following its annexation of Crimea in March. But Western leaders have made it clear they have no intention of engaging Russia militarily over Ukraine. The European Union says it is watching the developments with growing concern, and NATO has said it must view Russia as an adversary in light of apparent efforts to destabilize the region following its annexation of Crimea in March. But Western leaders have made it clear they have no intention of engaging Russia militarily over Ukraine.
Ukraine’s government accused the separatists of firing from apartment buildings because they knew the army was under orders not to shoot at civilian homes.
“I want to emphasize: the operation is not developing as fast as we would like, and is greatly complicated by the fact that the terrorists’ bases are located in cities with big populations, and they are hiding behind civilians, hiding behind hostages, shooting from high-rise residential buildings,” Turchynov said in a statement.
Ukraine’s Security Service said the army took control of 10 checkpoints around Slovyansk and half of the city’s “territory,” but rebels told Russian media that the latter claim was untrue.
Ukrainian troops in armored personnel carriers were stationed on the main roads leading into Slovyansk, and the army also seized a television tower on a hill on the outskirts of the city. But some other checkpoints closer to the city were still manned by rebels, and the city center was under rebel control. The streets of Slovyansk were largely deserted in late morning, with armed men, in a mixture of camouflage and ordinary civilian clothes, manning barricades. Some wore balaclavas over their faces.Ukrainian troops in armored personnel carriers were stationed on the main roads leading into Slovyansk, and the army also seized a television tower on a hill on the outskirts of the city. But some other checkpoints closer to the city were still manned by rebels, and the city center was under rebel control. The streets of Slovyansk were largely deserted in late morning, with armed men, in a mixture of camouflage and ordinary civilian clothes, manning barricades. Some wore balaclavas over their faces.
Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the insurgency-appointed mayor of Slovyansk, urged women, children and senior citizens to remain in their homes but asked men with guns “to render all possible assistance.”Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the insurgency-appointed mayor of Slovyansk, urged women, children and senior citizens to remain in their homes but asked men with guns “to render all possible assistance.”
“We will defend the city. We will win,” he said in a video message posted on the Internet.“We will defend the city. We will win,” he said in a video message posted on the Internet.
At one burning barricade manned by rebels, a fighter who gave his name as Thunder said he had two children and a pregnant wife at home. “I believe the Russian army will be here soon,” he said. “It is time.”
Ukraine’s assault began a day after Putin demanded that the government in Kiev withdraw all military units from the southeast of the country. It also came a day after the International Monetary Fund warned that it would have to redesign a $17 billion bailout of Ukraine if the government lost control of eastern Ukraine, its industrial heartland.
Ukraine accuses Russia of financing and arming the separatists, who have seized government buildings across the east of the country and have vowed to hold a referendum on independence on May 11. Russia denies the charge.Ukraine accuses Russia of financing and arming the separatists, who have seized government buildings across the east of the country and have vowed to hold a referendum on independence on May 11. Russia denies the charge.
Residents of Slovyansk used tires, sandbags and logs to barricade their neighborhoods, and some complained that the Ukrainian army was endangering their lives.
In the nearby town of Kramatorsk, militiamen blocked roads with trolley cars and buses in an attempt to prevent the army from entering, while residents of the village of Andreevskoe linked arms to form a human chain to keep troops out, the regional administration said in a statement.
“We should be evacuated, but Kiev thinks of us as terrorists,” said Natalye Botte, a 26-year-old woman who left her home to visit a local kiosk and find out what was happening. “They fly above our heads shooting all day, but there is an orphanage here full of kids, and we have children at home.”
She said she had heard shooting between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time, and two loud explosions, adding that her 2-year-old girl had been scared and unable to sleep. A nearby checkpoint was now controlled by the Ukrainian army.
Ukraine’s internal security service accused separatist leaders of ordering their fighters to collect civilians at checkpoints and in buildings to be used as “human shields.”
“The militants also fired at the helicopter of Ministry of Emergency, which arrived on the scene with a team of doctors to provide assistance and evacuation, and wounded one of the doctors,” the security service said in a statement.
Although the Kiev government announced it had launched an “anti-terrorist” operation in early April, it has been slow to act until now, partly for fear of provoking a Russian intervention in response.
Turchynov, the acting president, said this week that police were “helpless” to prevent pro-Russian separatists from taking control of large parts of eastern Ukraine, and he urged regional governors to try to prevent the insurgency from spreading to the neighboring regions of Kharkiv and Odessa.
But in an ominous development, more unrest erupted in the Black Sea port city of Odessa on Friday, after a pro-Ukrainian unity rally was attacked by supporters of Russia or of separatism.
Men from both sides fought running battles in the streets of Odessa through much of the afternoon, throwing bricks and fighting, according to witnesses and video footage.
Riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades but were unable to quell the violence. Local media reported that one pro-Ukrainian marcher was killed and 20 people injured, but a pro-Ukrainian activist leader reported that three people died.
In Slovyansk, rebels have taken several hostages, including journalists and the international security monitors. Interior Minister Avakov said the objective of Friday’s operation was to free the hostages, force rebels to lay down their arms, release administrative buildings from their control, and restore the normal functioning of the city administration.In Slovyansk, rebels have taken several hostages, including journalists and the international security monitors. Interior Minister Avakov said the objective of Friday’s operation was to free the hostages, force rebels to lay down their arms, release administrative buildings from their control, and restore the normal functioning of the city administration.
Putin on Thursday sent a special envoy, Vladimir Lukin, to eastern Ukraine to negotiate with the separatists who have taken the seven international observers hostage, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news service. That mission was “under threat” on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.Putin on Thursday sent a special envoy, Vladimir Lukin, to eastern Ukraine to negotiate with the separatists who have taken the seven international observers hostage, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news service. That mission was “under threat” on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Lukin, Russia’s human rights commissioner, was also Putin’s special envoy to Kiev in February during negotiations before Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, fled the country in the face of popular protests.Lukin, Russia’s human rights commissioner, was also Putin’s special envoy to Kiev in February during negotiations before Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, fled the country in the face of popular protests.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said English-speaking foreigners were seen among the Ukrainian forces mounting the assault on Slovyansk on Friday, echoing its previous charges that U.S. contractors were involved in Ukraine’s response to the unrest in the east.The Russian Foreign Ministry said English-speaking foreigners were seen among the Ukrainian forces mounting the assault on Slovyansk on Friday, echoing its previous charges that U.S. contractors were involved in Ukraine’s response to the unrest in the east.
“The United States and the E.U. are taking on a huge responsibility in cutting of the road to a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” the Foreign Ministry said.“The United States and the E.U. are taking on a huge responsibility in cutting of the road to a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Denyer reported from Donetsk, Ukraine. Birnbaum reported from Moscow. William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report. Denyer reported from Donetsk, Ukraine. Birnbaum reported from Moscow. Karen DeYoung and William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report.