This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-prorussian-rebels-retreating-from-slovyansk-9323522.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'retreating' from Slovyansk | Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'retreating' from Slovyansk |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pro-Russian rebels are reportedly retreating from Ukrainian troops after heavy fighting in Slovyansk. | Pro-Russian rebels are reportedly retreating from Ukrainian troops after heavy fighting in Slovyansk. |
| At least two armoured vehicles used by separatists were seen fleeing the eastern outskirts of the city, which has become a rebel stronghold. | At least two armoured vehicles used by separatists were seen fleeing the eastern outskirts of the city, which has become a rebel stronghold. |
| Heavy gunfire could be heard almost continuously on Monday and seemed closer to the centre, according to correspondents, and ambulances were seen in the area. | Heavy gunfire could be heard almost continuously on Monday and seemed closer to the centre, according to correspondents, and ambulances were seen in the area. |
| Several people have reportedly been killed, including a woman who was accidentally shot. | |
| The Interior Minister, Arsen Avakov, said on his agency's website that pro-Russian forces were deploying powerful weapons and mortars in the region and there were injured people on both sides. | |
| Government troops were facing about 800 insurgents, he said. | |
| A spokesman for a pro-Russian group in Slovyansk said an unspecified number of people had been killed and wounded in the clashes, including a 20-year-old woman killed by a stray bullet. | |
| Ukrainian forces were expected to launch an offensive against the pro-Russian militants, who had taken control of several checkpoints and buildings including a television tower. | Ukrainian forces were expected to launch an offensive against the pro-Russian militants, who had taken control of several checkpoints and buildings including a television tower. |
| On Sunday the army cut off the main road into the city. The government in Kiev have called the manoeuvres an “anti-terror” operation. | On Sunday the army cut off the main road into the city. The government in Kiev have called the manoeuvres an “anti-terror” operation. |
| It comes days after rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters on the outskirts of Slovyansk. | It comes days after rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters on the outskirts of Slovyansk. |
| The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has accused Russian special forces of backing the separatists in an effort to take control of the east of the country following the annexation of Crimea. | The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has accused Russian special forces of backing the separatists in an effort to take control of the east of the country following the annexation of Crimea. |
| Meanwhile, rebels are claiming that mercenaries and spies from Britain and the US are fighting on the government’s side in Andrievka, near Slovyansk. | Meanwhile, rebels are claiming that mercenaries and spies from Britain and the US are fighting on the government’s side in Andrievka, near Slovyansk. |
| In Odessa, which has seen days of bloody clashes between nationalist and pro-Russian rebels, a victim of the violence has been buried. | In Odessa, which has seen days of bloody clashes between nationalist and pro-Russian rebels, a victim of the violence has been buried. |
| Regional parliament member Vyacheslav Markin died from burns sustained when the city's Soviet-era trade union building was set on fire. | Regional parliament member Vyacheslav Markin died from burns sustained when the city's Soviet-era trade union building was set on fire. |
| More than 30 people were killed in the blaze and clashes outside, where shooting, grenades and molotov cocktails were reported. | More than 30 people were killed in the blaze and clashes outside, where shooting, grenades and molotov cocktails were reported. |
| It had been occupied by pro-Russian protesters, who are now vowing to take control of buildings in the Black Sea port. | It had been occupied by pro-Russian protesters, who are now vowing to take control of buildings in the Black Sea port. |
| As Mr Making, who was known for speaking out against the government in Kiev, was buried, 300 supporters shouted “Hero, hero!”. | As Mr Making, who was known for speaking out against the government in Kiev, was buried, 300 supporters shouted “Hero, hero!”. |
| Many of those at the funeral wore the Saint George black and orange ribbon that has become a symbol of the pro-Russian movement in Ukraine and said they were planning to storm the regional government building in Odessa later that afternoon. | Many of those at the funeral wore the Saint George black and orange ribbon that has become a symbol of the pro-Russian movement in Ukraine and said they were planning to storm the regional government building in Odessa later that afternoon. |
| Additional reporting by Reuters | Additional reporting by Reuters |