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Ukraine soldiers killed in renewed Sloviansk fighting | Ukraine soldiers killed in renewed Sloviansk fighting |
(about 1 month later) | |
Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and an army helicopter shot down by pro-Russian militants near the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says. | Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and an army helicopter shot down by pro-Russian militants near the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says. |
It says the gunmen used heavy weapons against Ukraine's units involved in the "anti-terror" operation. Casualties were also reported among the rebels. | It says the gunmen used heavy weapons against Ukraine's units involved in the "anti-terror" operation. Casualties were also reported among the rebels. |
The militants are reported to have retreated towards the city centre which is now quiet, a BBC correspondent says. | The militants are reported to have retreated towards the city centre which is now quiet, a BBC correspondent says. |
The rebel stronghold remains sealed off by Ukrainian troops. | 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. | 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. | Kiev accuses Moscow of supporting and arming the gunmen - a claim denied by the Kremlin. |
'Lull in fighting' | '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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Trading accusations | Trading accusations |
On Sunday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood". | On Sunday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood". |
He was speaking two days after dozens were killed in violence in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. | He was speaking two days after dozens were killed in violence in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. |
"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. |
Kiev describes the claims as blatant propaganda, and instead accuses the Russian authorities of turning their country into an authoritarian state. | 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. |
Despite the latest violence, Ukraine plans to hold a presidential election on 25 May. | Despite the latest violence, Ukraine plans to hold a presidential election on 25 May. |