This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27305245

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ukraine crisis: Troops 'retake Mariupol city hall' Ukraine crisis: Troops 'recaptures Mariupol city hall'
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainian government forces have retaken the city hall in the south-eastern port of Mariupol from pro-Russia separatists, reports say. Ukrainian government forces have retaken the city hall in the south-eastern port of Mariupol from pro-Russia separatists, officials say.
The rebels, who had seized the building last week, reportedly left early on Wednesday. The reason is not clear. The Kiev interior ministry says rebels who had seized the building last week have left, but some local reports later said they were attempting to return.
Pro-Russia separatists have captured official buildings in dozens of towns in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.Pro-Russia separatists have captured official buildings in dozens of towns in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.
The government has accused Russia of helping the rebels and sent troops to restore Kiev's authority. The Kiev government has sent troops to restore its authority.
Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a pro-Moscow militiaman in Mariupol as saying government forces had taken over Mariupol's city hall. Early on Wednesday Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a pro-Moscow militiaman in Mariupol as saying that separatist forces had vacated the city hall without a shot being fired.
"No shots were heard,'" he said. "All the militia members were removed from the building." He added that government forces had started to clear the barricade on the central square.
He added that government forces had started to clear the barricade on the central square with a bulldozer. However Ukraine's Channel 5 TV later reported that some rebels had regrouped and tried to seize the building again. The situation is deteriorating, it said.
'Dividing Ukraine''Dividing Ukraine'
There were also reports of clashes between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia militants in Sloviansk, a rebel stronghold, early on Wednesday. There were reports of clashes on Wednesday between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia militants in Sloviansk, a rebel stronghold.
The Ukrainian government has rejected the pro-Russian activists' demands for greater autonomy for eastern regions, fearing they could lead to the break-up of the country or more regions being annexed.The Ukrainian government has rejected the pro-Russian activists' demands for greater autonomy for eastern regions, fearing they could lead to the break-up of the country or more regions being annexed.
Kiev has called a presidential election on 25 May, and said it was ready to back new international talks in Geneva, as long as Moscow supported the poll.Kiev has called a presidential election on 25 May, and said it was ready to back new international talks in Geneva, as long as Moscow supported the poll.
On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ruled out holding another round of international talks unless pro-Russian opposition groups were involved.On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ruled out holding another round of international talks unless pro-Russian opposition groups were involved.
The separatists in Donetsk have proclaimed a "People's Republic" and are preparing to hold an independence referendum on Sunday.The separatists in Donetsk have proclaimed a "People's Republic" and are preparing to hold an independence referendum on Sunday.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned the plan as an "illegal effort to further divide Ukraine".US Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned the plan as an "illegal effort to further divide Ukraine".
The 25 May election was called after pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.The 25 May election was called after pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.