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Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russians seize back Mariupol city hall Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russians seize back Mariupol city hall
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian separatists have seized back the city hall in the southern Ukrainian port of Mariupol, hours after being ousted by security forces.Pro-Russian separatists have seized back the city hall in the southern Ukrainian port of Mariupol, hours after being ousted by security forces.
Government forces first raised the Ukraine flag on the building but later left - allowing the rebels who captured it last week to be back in control.Government forces first raised the Ukraine flag on the building but later left - allowing the rebels who captured it last week to be back in control.
Rebels have occupied official buildings in dozens of towns in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.Rebels have occupied 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 in the day. Tense scenes
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 Russian and "Donetsk Peoples' Republic" flags now fly over Mariupol's city hall, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports from the port city.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in eastern Ukraine says Mariupol is an important city in an industrial heartland. The scene of tension appears to have moved to Mariupol's police station, which is holding 16 pro-Russian activists who were arrested at the city hall.
However rebels later regrouped, marched on the building, retook it and hoisted Donetsk People's Republic flags outside the building. Security forces outside the police station fired warning shots into the air as an angry crowd of locals and relatives of those inside gathered at the gates saying they wanted to stop police moving the detainees to another province, our correspondent says.
A truck and two buses of heavily armed special forces have arrived at the police station, she adds.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said government troops had taken over Mariupol's city hall following a joint operation by ministry troops and the army.
Mr Avakov told the BBC that several people had been detained, including the defence minister of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic, Igor Kakidzyanov.
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.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: In related developments on Wednesday:
'Dividing Ukraine''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.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.
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, after meeting Ukrainian leaders in Kiev, accused Moscow of "trying to orchestrate conflict and provocations" in eastern and southern Ukraine.
"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. He said Moscow's "immediate goal" was to disrupt the forthcoming elections, "although of course they might also be trying to provide a pretext for intervention".
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.