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Ukraine crisis: Rebels 'retreating' in Sloviansk Ukraine soldiers killed in renewed Sloviansk fighting
(about 2 hours later)
Pro-Russian militants just outside Sloviansk have retreated amid attacks by Ukrainian troops, reports say. Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and an army helicopter shot down by pro-Russian militants near the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says.
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. It says the gunmen used heavy weapons against Ukraine's units involved in the "anti-terror" operation. Casualties were also reported among the rebels.
Earlier reports told of heavy gunfire, apparently closer to the centre than in recent days. The militants are reported to have retreated towards the city centre which is now quiet, a BBC correspondent says.
Meanwhile, militants shot down a military helicopter near Sloviansk, the defence ministry said in a statement. The rebel stronghold remains sealed off by Ukrainian troops.
Pro-Russian militants have seized government buildings in a dozen or more Ukrainian cities in the east.
Kiev accuses Moscow of supporting and arming the gunmen - a claim denied by the Kremlin.
'Lull in fighting'
Speaking to reporters near Sloviansk, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov accused the militants of trying to ambush government forces on the outskirts of Sloviansk on Monday morning.
He blamed the rebels for using heavy weapons, including mortars.
The Ukrainian military later said that four soldiers had been killed and about 30 injured.
In a statement, the defence ministry confirmed that a helicopter has been shot down near Sloviansk.
The crew of the aircraft survived, largely because the helicopter crashed into a river, the ministry added. It was the third Ukrainian military helicopter to be downed over the city in recent days.The crew of the aircraft survived, largely because the helicopter crashed into a river, the ministry added. It was the third Ukrainian military helicopter to be downed over the city in recent days.
A BBC team which has reached the centre of Sloviansk says there has been a lull in the fighting between about 800 pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian troops.A BBC team which has reached the centre of Sloviansk says there has been a lull in the fighting between about 800 pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian troops.
Local residents reported heavy gunfire on Monday morning, but only isolated shooting can still be heard. Trading accusations
Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 30 injured during the fighting in Sloviansk, the interior ministry said. On Sunday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood".
Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces on the pro-Russian stronghold had been growing overnight, sources inside the city said earlier. He was speaking two days after dozens were killed in violence in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa.
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 southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, 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. Kiev describes the claims as blatant propaganda, and instead accuses the Russian authorities of turning their country into an authoritarian state.
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. Despite the latest violence, Ukraine 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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