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Ukraine crisis: Fears grow over Sloviansk offensive Ukraine crisis: Rebels 'retreating' in Sloviansk
(about 3 hours later)
Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces are growing in the pro-Russian stronghold of Sloviansk, sources inside the city say. Pro-Russian militants just outside Sloviansk are retreating amid attacks by Ukrainian troops, reports say.
Ukraine's army cut off the main road into the city on Sunday, squeezing its hold on rebel fighters. Government forces have taken a TV tower in the suburbs and rebels were pulling back deeper into the city, the Russian Interfax news agency said.
A reporter inside Sloviansk told the BBC that residents expect the city to be stormed. Heavy gunfire could be heard, apparently closer to the centre than in recent days, a Reuters reporter said.
Last week, rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters on the outskirts of Sloviansk. However, a number of Ukrainian troops have been killed in the fighting, the country's interior minister said.
Harriet Salem, a freelance journalist in Sloviansk, said there is strong support for the pro-Russian fighters in the city. Arsen Avakov could not give the exact death toll, but said up to eight Ukrainian troops had been wounded in an ambush.
But she added that residents are increasingly anxious that troops sent by Kiev will try to retake the city centre. Four ambulances were seen near the area and at least two separatist armoured vehicles and several rebels were seen in retreat, Reuters reported.
Ukrainian troops are currently carrying out what the Kiev government calls "anti-terror" operations in the east to wrest control of government buildings from pro-Russia separatists. Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces on the pro-Russian stronghold had been growing overnight, sources inside the city said earlier.
Ukraine's army cut off the main road into the city on Sunday.
The move came days after rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters on the outskirts of Sloviansk, one of a dozen or more east Ukrainian cities where pro-Russian separatists have seized official buildings.
Ukrainian troops are currently carrying out what the Kiev government calls "anti-terror" operations in the east to wrest back control of these areas.
Speaking two days after dozens were killed in violence in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood."Speaking two days after dozens were killed in violence in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood."
Several thousand supporters of a united Ukraine, some of them masked and carrying sticks, rallied in Odessa late on Sunday before marching to the regional police headquarters. "Russia's aim was to repeat in Odessa what is happening in the east of the country," he said, insisting Kiev had not lost control of the region.
They sang the national anthem as they marched to the trade union building to re-deploy the Ukrainian flag that had been burned by pro-Russians on Saturday.
More than 60 people arrested over Friday's violence in Odessa were freed by police on Sunday after protesters attacked the main police station in the city.
Several hundred pro-Russian protesters besieged the police headquarters, breaking through windows and doors.
The clashes on Friday left more than 40 dead, mostly pro-Russian separatists killed in a building fire.The clashes on Friday left more than 40 dead, mostly pro-Russian separatists killed in a building fire.
Prime Minister Yatsenyuk accused police of failing to prevent Friday's unrest and accused Russia for instigating the violence. Russia warned on Monday that failure to halt the escalating unrest would threaten peace across Europe.
"Russia's aim was to repeat in Odessa what is happening in the east of the country," he said. Moscow called on Ukraine and the international community to step up "joint efforts" to end "racism, xenophobia, ethnic intolerance, (and) the glorification of the Nazis" - a reference to extremists Russia claims are committing "mass" rights violations in Ukraine.
Mr Yatsenyuk insisted Kiev had not lost control of the region entirely and said much would depend on whether local populations "support peace and stability or whether they support those who are sponsored by Russian". "The alternative is fraught with such destructive consequences for Europe's peace, stability and democratic development that it is absolutely necessary to prevent it," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych 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.
Separatist actions subsequently spread to eastern Ukraine, where Moscow is accused of backing pro-Russians who have seized official buildings in a dozen or more cities.Separatist actions subsequently spread to eastern Ukraine, where Moscow is accused of backing pro-Russians who have seized official buildings in a dozen or more cities.
Despite the latest violence, the country plans to hold a presidential election on 25 May.Despite the latest violence, the country plans to hold a presidential election on 25 May.
Are you in Sloviansk? You can share your photos, views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Sloviansk' in the subject heading.Are you in Sloviansk? You can share your photos, views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Sloviansk' in the subject heading.
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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