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'Many dead' in Ukraine offensive 'Many dead' in Ukraine offensive in Sloviansk - Turchynov
(35 minutes later)
Many pro-Russia rebels have been killed, injured and arrested in the Ukrainian government offensive in the eastern city of Sloviansk, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has said.Many pro-Russia rebels have been killed, injured and arrested in the Ukrainian government offensive in the eastern city of Sloviansk, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has said.
But, in a statement, he said the operation in the rebel-held city was not going as quickly as hoped. In a statement, he said the operation in the rebel-held city was not going as quickly as hoped.
Rebels earlier shot down two Ukrainian army helicopters, killing a pilot and a serviceman. Rebels have shot down two Ukrainian army helicopters, killing a pilot and a serviceman. Seven have been injured.
Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Moscow has said the use of the Ukrainian army against its own people is "leading Ukraine to catastrophe".Moscow has said the use of the Ukrainian army against its own people is "leading Ukraine to catastrophe".
The situation in Sloviansk remains unclear, with Kiev earlier saying that half the city was "under control" of Ukrainian units. The situation in Sloviansk remains unclear.
Mr Turchynov said the fight against rebel forces was "greatly complicated" by the fact that the conflict in eastern Ukraine was taking place in population centres.Mr Turchynov said the fight against rebel forces was "greatly complicated" by the fact that the conflict in eastern Ukraine was taking place in population centres.
Two Ukrainian army service personnel were killed in the fight for Sloviansk, he said, and he accused pro-Russian forces of hiding behind civilians and hostages. He accused pro-Russian forces of hiding behind civilians and hostages.
All pro-Russian checkpoints around the city had been captured, Mr Turchynov added, though separatists have spoken of several still being under their control.All pro-Russian checkpoints around the city had been captured, Mr Turchynov added, though separatists have spoken of several still being under their control.
Local people could be seen standing in front of Ukrainian tanks, according to Paul Ronzheimer, a reporter with Germany's Bild newspaper in the city.Local people could be seen standing in front of Ukrainian tanks, according to Paul Ronzheimer, a reporter with Germany's Bild newspaper in the city.
Many told the soldiers to retreat, exclaiming "shoot us, we are separatists as well, just because we want to belong to Russia, shoot us", Mr Ronzheimer said.Many told the soldiers to retreat, exclaiming "shoot us, we are separatists as well, just because we want to belong to Russia, shoot us", Mr Ronzheimer said.
The BBC's Fergal Keane, at a bridge outside Sloviansk where there is a stand-off between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian locals, describes the atmosphere as tense and unpredictable.The BBC's Fergal Keane, at a bridge outside Sloviansk where there is a stand-off between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian locals, describes the atmosphere as tense and unpredictable.
Earlier, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the "active phase" of the operation in the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk region began at 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT). Earlier, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the "active phase" of the operation in the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk region began at 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT).
"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". It quoted Sloviansk's rebel commander Igor Strelkov as saying that the city was completely sealed off.
To the south, there have been clashes in the coastal city of Odessa between pro-Russian protesters and supporters of the Kiev government.To the south, there have been clashes in the coastal city of Odessa between pro-Russian protesters and supporters of the Kiev government.
At least one person has been killed amid reports of gunfire.At least one person has been killed amid reports of gunfire.
In other developments: The West continues to accuse Moscow of provoking the unrest in eastern Ukraine, something Russia denies.
President Barack Obama, at a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House, warned of further sanctions against Russia if it did not "change course".
Elsewhere in eastern Ukraine:
Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population. It 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. It 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.