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Ukrainian forces surround Slavyansk after bloody clashes Ukrainian forces surround Slavyansk after bloody clashes
(about 5 hours later)
Two rings of Ukrainian military barricades and checkpoints surround the rebel stronghold of Slavyansk, which on Monday saw its bloodiest day of clashes between government forces and the pro-Russia militia that have seized the town. Two rings of Ukrainian military barricades and checkpoints surround the rebel stronghold of Slavyansk a day after the city's bloodiest clashes so far between government forces and the pro-Russia militia.
Dozens are feared to have been killed in the gun battle between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russia rebel forces – the first clashes in a civilian area since the Ukrainian interim government launched the "active" phase of its effort to oust pro-Russia militia from the east of the country. Tensions continued to simmer in the city, where at least one person was stretchered away after a car broke through a militia checkpoint around midday on Tuesday and gunfire was heard in the city centre.
Both sides reported losses in the exchange of gunfire, which lasted more than an hour. Writing on his Facebook page, Ukraine's interior minister, Arsen Avakov, said 30 pro-Russia gunmen had been killed. A hotel receptionist said she had heard the shooting and ducked under her desk. The militia holding the city briefly closed down the area before re-opening it later in the afternoon, but the bullet hole-riddled vehicle was left ominously at the side of the road.
"We estimate that the terrorists lost more than 30 people," Avakov wrote. The figure could not be verified. Dozens are feared to have been killed in Monday's gun battle – the first clashes in a civilian area since the Ukrainian interim government launched the "active" phase of its effort to oust pro-Russia militia from the east of the country.
A spokesperson for Slavyansk's self-appointed people's mayor, the local rebel leader Viacheslav Ponomarev, said the militia body count stood at 10, with another 17 seriously wounded. Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed during the confrontation. Rebels also reportedly shot down a helicopter, the third to have been felled in the past three days. Both sides reported losses in the exchange of gunfire, which lasted more than an hour. Writing on his Facebook page, Ukraine's interior minister, Arsen Avakov, said 30 pro-Russia gunmen had been killed. "We estimate that the terrorists lost more than 30 people," Avakov wrote. The figure could not be verified.
Shocked locals picked their way through the mess outside their homes, discovering broken windows, pools of blood and bullet-riddled fences. A spokesperson for Slavyansk's self-appointed people's mayor, the local rebel leader Viacheslav Ponomarev, said the militia body count stood at 10, with another 17 seriously wounded.
"They just came and started shooting at us. There was no warning," one Slavyansk resident told the Guardian. "Look, everything is destroyed." Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed during the confrontation. Rebels also reportedly shot down a helicopter, the third to have been felled in the past three days.
Shocked residents picked their way through the mess outside their homes, discovering broken windows, pools of blood and bullet-riddled fences. "They just came and started shooting at us. There was no warning," one Slavyansk resident told the Guardian. "Look, everything is destroyed."
Most residents appear to blame the Ukrainian army for the violence. "They [the rebels] are peaceful people, they never shot anyone and now these fascists come and try to kill us," one woman said.Most residents appear to blame the Ukrainian army for the violence. "They [the rebels] are peaceful people, they never shot anyone and now these fascists come and try to kill us," one woman said.
One bystander is reported to have been shot and killed in the crossfire while smoking a cigarette on her balcony on Monday. The civilian death follows that of 21-year-old nurse Yulia Izotova, who died after being hit by a stray bullet during clashes three days ago. Her funeral, held in Kramatorsk on Monday, was attended by hundreds of mourners.One bystander is reported to have been shot and killed in the crossfire while smoking a cigarette on her balcony on Monday. The civilian death follows that of 21-year-old nurse Yulia Izotova, who died after being hit by a stray bullet during clashes three days ago. Her funeral, held in Kramatorsk on Monday, was attended by hundreds of mourners.
Over the past week, the Ukrainian army have tightened their grip around the rebel-held town, and on Tuesday morning they were positioned almost at the entrance to Slavyansk. In several sites around the city, soldiers and rebels are separated by less than a mile or two of tarmac. Several hundred special police officers were reported to have arrived behind the army lines on Monday afternoon, signalling that the operation may be gearing up for a further push. Over the past week, the Ukrainian army has tightened its grip around the city, and on Tuesday morning they were positioned almost at the entrance to Slavyansk. In several sites around the city, soldiers and rebels are separated by less than a mile or two of tarmac. Several hundred special police officers were reported to have arrived behind the army lines on Monday afternoon, signalling that the operation may be gearing up for a further push.
On Tuesday, Slavyansk residents were bracing for what seemed to many an inevitable war on their doorsteps. "We are very anxious," said 27-year-old Aleksander as he visited his local shop to stock up on provisions with his three-year-old daughter. "Shops are selling out of food. People can't work. Life has stopped." On Tuesday, Slavyansk residents were bracing for what seemed to many an inevitable war on their doorsteps. "We are very anxious," said 27-year-old Aleksander as he visited a shop to stock up on provisions with his three-year-old daughter. "Shops are selling out of food. People can't work. Life has stopped." Cash points have run out of money, public transport has ground to a halt and most businesses have closed.
Cash points have run out of money and many businesses have closed altogether. Several residents told the Guardian that after the recent clashes, they were ready to join the pro-Russia rebels. "If this goes on, then what choice does a man have other than to stand up, to defend his wife, his family, his city?" said 58-year-old Vladimir. "Our grandfathers fought the fascists from '41 to '45 and won. We will follow in their footsteps."
Several residents told the Guardian that following the recent clashes, they were ready to join the pro-Russia rebels.
"If this goes on, then what choice does a man have other than to stand up, to defend his wife, his family, his city?" said 58-year-old Vladimir. "Our grandfathers fought the fascists from '41 to '45 and won. We will follow in their footsteps."
One of the local militia commanders told the Guardian that hundreds of men were signing up to join their ranks. "We can't even accept them all because we don't have enough weapons, for now," he said.One of the local militia commanders told the Guardian that hundreds of men were signing up to join their ranks. "We can't even accept them all because we don't have enough weapons, for now," he said.
But as the Ukraine army edges forward into Slavyansk, pro-Russia militia appear to be making gains on another front. In nearby Donetsk, the regional administrative headquarters, gunmen are now operating openly on the street, a distinct change from a week ago. Nearly all state buildings and some private businesses in the city have been seized.
With most of the state security buildings in the region has been captured by militia there has been no resistance from law enforcement officials. On Monday a group of armed men appeared to attempt to seize a military training school, but later withdrew after some negotiations. A cache of arms may be stored inside.
The Donetsk airport was closed on Tuesday morning on the orders of the Kiev government, but re-opened in the afternoon. No explanation was given for the closure.
A referendum on the status of the region, including Slavyansk, is due to be held by the rebels on 11 May.