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| Ukraine crisis: Rebels 'retreating' in Sloviansk | Ukraine crisis: Rebels 'retreating' in Sloviansk |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pro-Russian militants just outside Sloviansk have retreated amid attacks by Ukrainian troops, reports say. | |
| Government forces took control of a TV tower in the suburbs and rebels were pulled back deeper into the city, the Russian Interfax news agency said. | |
| Earlier reports told of heavy gunfire, apparently closer to the centre than in recent days. | |
| But a BBC team which has recently reached the centre of Sloviansk says the city is currently quiet. | |
| Reports quoting the country's interior minister said a number of Ukrainian troops had been killed in fighting in the outskirts of the city. | |
| Arsen Avakov could not give the exact death toll, but said up to eight Ukrainian troops had been wounded in an ambush. | Arsen Avakov could not give the exact death toll, but said up to eight Ukrainian troops had been wounded in an ambush. |
| Four ambulances were seen near the area and at least two separatist armoured vehicles and several rebels were seen in retreat, Reuters reported. | Four ambulances were seen near the area and at least two separatist armoured vehicles and several rebels were seen in retreat, Reuters reported. |
| Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces on the pro-Russian stronghold had been growing overnight, sources inside the city said earlier. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." |
| "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. | "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. |
| 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. |
| Russia warned on Monday that failure to halt the escalating unrest would threaten peace across Europe. | Russia warned on Monday that failure to halt the escalating unrest would threaten peace across Europe. |
| 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. | 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. |
| "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. | "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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