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| Ukraine crisis: Moldova on high alert as fighting intensifies | Ukraine crisis: Moldova on high alert as fighting intensifies |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Moldova’s government has put its borders on alert as violence intensifies in Ukraine with the death of 30 pro-Russian militants in battles with the army. | Moldova’s government has put its borders on alert as violence intensifies in Ukraine with the death of 30 pro-Russian militants in battles with the army. |
| The Ukrainian government claimed the rebels were killed by troops near Slovyansk in what it called an “anti-terror” operation against militias occupying parts of the eastern city. | The Ukrainian government claimed the rebels were killed by troops near Slovyansk in what it called an “anti-terror” operation against militias occupying parts of the eastern city. |
| Four government troops also died and another 20 were injured during gun battles, the Interior Minister, Arsen Avakov, said. | Four government troops also died and another 20 were injured during gun battles, the Interior Minister, Arsen Avakov, said. |
| Troops created a security cordon around the city on Sunday and moved in on Monday in an apparent attempt to trap pro-Russian forces. | Troops created a security cordon around the city on Sunday and moved in on Monday in an apparent attempt to trap pro-Russian forces. |
| The intervention came days after rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters in the outskirts of Slovyansk and another was brought down on Monday. | The intervention came days after rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters in the outskirts of Slovyansk and another was brought down on Monday. |
| It is one of several Ukrainian cities where pro-Russian separatists have seized official buildings and many fear violence will escalate as the government continues its military crackdown. | It is one of several Ukrainian cities where pro-Russian separatists have seized official buildings and many fear violence will escalate as the government continues its military crackdown. |
| Conflict has been spreading from the country’s east, erupting in the south-western Black Sea port of Odessa, where dozens of people were killed in riots last week. | |
| It is less than 45 miles from Odessa, on the south coast, to the Moldovan border. | It is less than 45 miles from Odessa, on the south coast, to the Moldovan border. |
| The country’s government put its borders on high alert on Monday, citing concerns about the escalating violence and deteriorating security situation in Ukraine. | The country’s government put its borders on high alert on Monday, citing concerns about the escalating violence and deteriorating security situation in Ukraine. |
| President Nicolae Timofti, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Parliament speaker Igor Coreman said in a joint statement that security forces had been ordered “to take all necessary actions to ensure public order inside the country.” | |
| Moldova, a former part of the Soviet Union, is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania. | Moldova, a former part of the Soviet Union, is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania. |
| Much of its 750-mile border with Ukraine is controlled by pro-Russian groups and there are 1,500 Russian troops stationed in a separatist republic of Trans-Dniester, which recently asked to be united with Russia. | Much of its 750-mile border with Ukraine is controlled by pro-Russian groups and there are 1,500 Russian troops stationed in a separatist republic of Trans-Dniester, which recently asked to be united with Russia. |
| The Russian government has said it respects Moldova's territorial integrity in the past but leaders are concerned about unrest in Trans-Dniester. | The Russian government has said it respects Moldova's territorial integrity in the past but leaders are concerned about unrest in Trans-Dniester. |
| William Hague, the Foreign Minister, held talks with Moldovan authorities on Monday, and said the country should move forward with talks toward closer ties to the European Union without being seen as a threat to Russia. | William Hague, the Foreign Minister, held talks with Moldovan authorities on Monday, and said the country should move forward with talks toward closer ties to the European Union without being seen as a threat to Russia. |
| He said Britain is “strongly opposed to any external pressure or any violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” | He said Britain is “strongly opposed to any external pressure or any violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” |
| After the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia, fears of the loss of more territories have grown. | After the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia, fears of the loss of more territories have grown. |
| Donetsk airport, south of Slovyansk, has been closed a day after troops mounted an offensive against pro-Russian forces that killed at least a dozen people. | Donetsk airport, south of Slovyansk, has been closed a day after troops mounted an offensive against pro-Russian forces that killed at least a dozen people. |
| A statement published on the Donetsk airport website on Tuesday said the facility was closed to departing and arriving flights because of a government order. | A statement published on the Donetsk airport website on Tuesday said the facility was closed to departing and arriving flights because of a government order. |
| Officials in Kiev gave no information about the closure and an airport spokeswoman said she had not received any information about how long the it would continue. | Officials in Kiev gave no information about the closure and an airport spokeswoman said she had not received any information about how long the it would continue. |
| Yesterday, gun battles killed at least four Ukrainian officers as well as at least eight other people, both civilians and pro-Russian militants. | Yesterday, gun battles killed at least four Ukrainian officers as well as at least eight other people, both civilians and pro-Russian militants. |
| Additional reporting by PA and AP | Additional reporting by PA and AP |