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Ukraine crisis: Troops 'recaptures 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, officials say.Ukrainian government forces have retaken the city hall in the south-eastern port of Mariupol from pro-Russia separatists, officials say.
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.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 Kiev government has sent troops to restore its authority.The Kiev government has sent troops to restore its authority.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said government troops had taken over Mariupol city hall following a joint operation by ministry troops and the army early on Wednesday.Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said government troops had taken over Mariupol city hall following a joint operation by ministry troops and the army early on Wednesday.
Mr Avakov told the BBC that several people had been detained, including the defence minister of the separatist "Donetsk People's Republic", Igor Kakidzyanov.Mr Avakov told the BBC that several people had been detained, including the defence minister of the separatist "Donetsk People's Republic", Igor Kakidzyanov.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in eastern Ukraine says this is potentially a significant step as Mariupol is an important city in an industrial heartland.The BBC's Richard Galpin in eastern Ukraine says this is potentially a significant step as Mariupol is an important city in an industrial heartland.
However Ukraine's Channel 5 TV later reported that some rebels had regrouped and marched on the building.However Ukraine's Channel 5 TV later reported that some rebels had regrouped and marched on the building.
A local website said Ukrainian troops eventually left and Russian and rebels hoisted Donetsk People's Republic flags outside the building.A local website said Ukrainian troops eventually left and Russian and rebels hoisted Donetsk People's Republic flags outside the building.
'Dividing Ukraine'
There were also reports of clashes in the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk, as Ukrainian troops advanced on rebel positions.There were also reports of clashes in the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk, as Ukrainian troops advanced on rebel positions.
The Kiev government says 14 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 66 wounded since the start of its operation in the east last month.
In related development on Wednesday:
'Dividing Ukraine'
The 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 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.
Meanwhile UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is meeting Ukrainian leaders in Kiev. Ahead of his visit he accused Russia of "deliberately fomenting" disorder.Meanwhile UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is meeting Ukrainian leaders in Kiev. Ahead of his visit he accused Russia of "deliberately fomenting" disorder.
"There is a great determination among Ukrainians to make a success of their elections... to show that this is a democracy that can work and succeed," he told the BBC on Wednesday."There is a great determination among Ukrainians to make a success of their elections... to show that this is a democracy that can work and succeed," he told the BBC on Wednesday.
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.
He added that there was no point attending as an accord agreed in April between the US, EU and Russia had not been implemented.He added that there was no point attending as an accord agreed in April between the US, EU and Russia had not been implemented.
The Geneva agreement called for all parties, including the separatists, to refrain from violence, disarm and vacate occupied buildings.The Geneva agreement called for all parties, including the separatists, to refrain from violence, disarm and vacate occupied buildings.
The separatists of the Donetsk People's Republic and are preparing to hold an independence referendum on Sunday.The separatists of the Donetsk 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.