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Separatists shoot down Ukrainian military helicopter in Slovyansk Separatists shoot down Ukrainian military helicopter in Slovyansk
(about 1 hour later)
KIEV, Ukraine — Pro-Russian separatists shot down a Ukrainian military helicopter Thursday, killing at least 12 soldiers including a senior leader of Ukraine’s efforts to recapture control of its rebellious east.KIEV, Ukraine — Pro-Russian separatists shot down a Ukrainian military helicopter Thursday, killing at least 12 soldiers including a senior leader of Ukraine’s efforts to recapture control of its rebellious east.
A rebel leader, meanwhile, said his fighters were holding four election monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.A rebel leader, meanwhile, said his fighters were holding four election monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Ukraine’s acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, confirmed in a speech to parliament that the military transport helicopter was downed, inflicting a significant loss on government forces. He said 14 military personnel on board were killed, including a general.Ukraine’s acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, confirmed in a speech to parliament that the military transport helicopter was downed, inflicting a significant loss on government forces. He said 14 military personnel on board were killed, including a general.
The Ukrainian National Guard later issued a statement saying that 12 people were killed and that one soldier survived and was in critical condition. The reason for the discrepancy in the death toll was not immediately explained.The Ukrainian National Guard later issued a statement saying that 12 people were killed and that one soldier survived and was in critical condition. The reason for the discrepancy in the death toll was not immediately explained.
Turchynov said the helicopter was brought down by “terrorists” with a shoulder-launched heat-seeking missile, which he suggested had been supplied by Russia. He identified the dead general as Serhiy Kulchytskiy, who had formerly served in the Soviet army and was in charge of combat training for Ukraine’s National Guard.Turchynov said the helicopter was brought down by “terrorists” with a shoulder-launched heat-seeking missile, which he suggested had been supplied by Russia. He identified the dead general as Serhiy Kulchytskiy, who had formerly served in the Soviet army and was in charge of combat training for Ukraine’s National Guard.
The helicopter wa shot down amid heavy fighting Thursday in Slovyansk, a city about 100 miles west of the Russian border that has been the scene of recent clashes between separatists and government troops. It was flying troops to positions set up by Ukrainian forces on a hill outside the city, Turchynov told parliament.The helicopter wa shot down amid heavy fighting Thursday in Slovyansk, a city about 100 miles west of the Russian border that has been the scene of recent clashes between separatists and government troops. It was flying troops to positions set up by Ukrainian forces on a hill outside the city, Turchynov told parliament.
“Our armed forces, our security forces will complete their job against terrorism,” Turchynov said. “And all the criminals who are now funded by the Russian Federation will be destroyed or sit in the dock.” The emotional speech was followed by a minute of silence in parliament.“Our armed forces, our security forces will complete their job against terrorism,” Turchynov said. “And all the criminals who are now funded by the Russian Federation will be destroyed or sit in the dock.” The emotional speech was followed by a minute of silence in parliament.
An Associated Press reporter saw the helicopter go down amid a trail of black smoke and heard gunshots near the crash site as a Ukrainian air force jet circled overhead, the news agency said.An Associated Press reporter saw the helicopter go down amid a trail of black smoke and heard gunshots near the crash site as a Ukrainian air force jet circled overhead, the news agency said.
A video posted online appeared to show the attack, with the helicopter spiraling downward in flames.A video posted online appeared to show the attack, with the helicopter spiraling downward in flames.
“It was part of a routine troop rotation,” said a senior Ukrainian security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.“It was part of a routine troop rotation,” said a senior Ukrainian security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.
The Ukrainian National Guard said in its statement that the aircraft was an Mi-8 transport helicopter that was fired upon from a forest.The Ukrainian National Guard said in its statement that the aircraft was an Mi-8 transport helicopter that was fired upon from a forest.
After the attack, the Ukrainian military used artillery and fighter jets to bombard the area from which the missile was fired, “destroying” a group of “criminals,” the National Guard said.After the attack, the Ukrainian military used artillery and fighter jets to bombard the area from which the missile was fired, “destroying” a group of “criminals,” the National Guard said.
Thursday’s clashes coincided with more infighting between eastern Ukraine’s separatists. The pro-Russian Vostok battalion, a militia known to include Chechen and other Russian fighters, besieged the headquarters of the self-declared “Donetsk People’s Republic” in the separatist enclave of Donetsk on Thursday, local journalists reported on social media. Thursday’s clashes coincided with more apparent infighting between eastern Ukraine’s separatists. The pro-Russian Vostok battalion, a militia known to include Chechen and other Russian fighters, besieged the headquarters of the self-declared “Donetsk People’s Republic” in the separatist enclave of Donetsk on Thursday, local journalists reported.
A video posted on a Donetsk news Web site showed men in camouflage setting up weaponry that pointed in the direction of the seized office building that serves as separatist headquarters. Office workers streamed out of the building.
A spokeswoman for the Donetsk People’s Republic denied that there was any conflict among the separatists and said the forces were simply working to weed out criminals.
“We are keeping order in the building,” said Klavdia Kulbatskaya, the spokeswoman. “Our authorities are in control of the situation. Soon we will obtain order in the premises. We don’t want to be associated with thugs and marauders.”
Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news service reported Thursday that 33 of the separatist fighters killed during fierce clashes outside the Donetsk airport on Monday were Russian nationals.Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news service reported Thursday that 33 of the separatist fighters killed during fierce clashes outside the Donetsk airport on Monday were Russian nationals.
“All of those dead have been identified,” said Alexander Borodai, who calls himself the prime minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to RIA Novosti. Russian media reported that the bodies would soon be returned to Russia.“All of those dead have been identified,” said Alexander Borodai, who calls himself the prime minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to RIA Novosti. Russian media reported that the bodies would soon be returned to Russia.
It was unclear how many of the dead fighters were Ukrainian. RIA Novosti reported that more than 100 people were killed in the violence, some of them civilians.It was unclear how many of the dead fighters were Ukrainian. RIA Novosti reported that more than 100 people were killed in the violence, some of them civilians.
Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the self-proclaimed “people’s mayor” of Slovyansk, told Russia’s Interfax news agency that the four election monitors — a Dane, an Estonian, a Swiss and a Turk — were “fine” and that the group was in negotiations with the OSCE to release them. The OSCE said it lost contact with the team Monday evening, a day after Ukraine’s presidential and mayoral elections.Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the self-proclaimed “people’s mayor” of Slovyansk, told Russia’s Interfax news agency that the four election monitors — a Dane, an Estonian, a Swiss and a Turk — were “fine” and that the group was in negotiations with the OSCE to release them. The OSCE said it lost contact with the team Monday evening, a day after Ukraine’s presidential and mayoral elections.
He said his men had advised OSCE monitors not to travel across the embattled east but that the captured monitors had been the “most-zealous” ones. Other monitors have been kidnapped, held for several hours, and then released.He said his men had advised OSCE monitors not to travel across the embattled east but that the captured monitors had been the “most-zealous” ones. Other monitors have been kidnapped, held for several hours, and then released.
Separatists, who have seized government buildings and declared sovereign republics in two eastern regions, prevented voting in most of eastern Ukraine in Sunday’s elections. The OSCE said it lost contact with the team in the Donetsk region Monday evening.Separatists, who have seized government buildings and declared sovereign republics in two eastern regions, prevented voting in most of eastern Ukraine in Sunday’s elections. The OSCE said it lost contact with the team in the Donetsk region Monday evening.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said Thursday that the Ukrainian government “bears the most responsibility” for the disappearance of the OSCE monitors, Interfax reported.Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said Thursday that the Ukrainian government “bears the most responsibility” for the disappearance of the OSCE monitors, Interfax reported.
Churkin accused Kiev of failing to complete procedures that would have granted the monitors “immunity” in Ukraine, thus leaving them legally vulnerable.Churkin accused Kiev of failing to complete procedures that would have granted the monitors “immunity” in Ukraine, thus leaving them legally vulnerable.
A fierce two-day clash between the separatists and Ukrainian military forces for control of Donetsk’s international airport following the election killed about 50 people, most of them separatists. President-elect Petro Poroshenko said the nation’s fight to regain control of the country he promised to unite had “finally really begun.”A fierce two-day clash between the separatists and Ukrainian military forces for control of Donetsk’s international airport following the election killed about 50 people, most of them separatists. President-elect Petro Poroshenko said the nation’s fight to regain control of the country he promised to unite had “finally really begun.”
Poroshenko, a 48-year-old billionaire and one of Ukraine’s richest men, has vowed to quickly crush the rebellion by the separatists, whom he has likened to Somali pirates. He also said he wants to start talking with Russia, which the West believes is fomenting the unrest across eastern Ukraine.Poroshenko, a 48-year-old billionaire and one of Ukraine’s richest men, has vowed to quickly crush the rebellion by the separatists, whom he has likened to Somali pirates. He also said he wants to start talking with Russia, which the West believes is fomenting the unrest across eastern Ukraine.
Poroshenko has also promised closer ties with the West.Poroshenko has also promised closer ties with the West.
In a statement Thursday, the newly elected president said he wants to sign an economic agreement with the European Union shortly after he takes office in early June.In a statement Thursday, the newly elected president said he wants to sign an economic agreement with the European Union shortly after he takes office in early June.
“The signing and enactment of the agreement, which, in fact, is part of Ukraine’s modernization plan, as well as its implementation, would help pursue anti-corruption measures and implement the reforms package within a very short period of time,” Poroshenko said in the statement.“The signing and enactment of the agreement, which, in fact, is part of Ukraine’s modernization plan, as well as its implementation, would help pursue anti-corruption measures and implement the reforms package within a very short period of time,” Poroshenko said in the statement.
Denis Pushilin, a leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, issued a defiant call Wednesday to continue resistance against Kiev. He urged the area’s miners to join the fight.Denis Pushilin, a leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, issued a defiant call Wednesday to continue resistance against Kiev. He urged the area’s miners to join the fight.
“We are not going to leave, and we are not going to surrender. This is our land and our home,” Pushilin told a pro-separatist rally of a few hundred people in Donetsk’s Lenin Square. “We are getting stronger and stronger.”“We are not going to leave, and we are not going to surrender. This is our land and our home,” Pushilin told a pro-separatist rally of a few hundred people in Donetsk’s Lenin Square. “We are getting stronger and stronger.”
As he spoke, surrounded by bodyguards and wearing a bulletproof vest under his blue jacket, a Ukrainian military jet roared in the distance above the city’s international airport, which has been closed since Monday’s heavy fighting.As he spoke, surrounded by bodyguards and wearing a bulletproof vest under his blue jacket, a Ukrainian military jet roared in the distance above the city’s international airport, which has been closed since Monday’s heavy fighting.
Pushilin said the rebels would ignore Ukrainian ultimatums to lay down their arms. He also said more volunteers — “our brothers” — were coming over the borders of friendly regions and states into Donetsk as reinforcements.Pushilin said the rebels would ignore Ukrainian ultimatums to lay down their arms. He also said more volunteers — “our brothers” — were coming over the borders of friendly regions and states into Donetsk as reinforcements.
Some Ukrainian officials — and local residents who have been close enough to hear the accents of fighters — have charged that Russia has enabled battle-hardened fighters from South Ossetia and Chechnya to cross the border and join the conflict. Ramzan Kadyrov, a Chechen regional leader who is an ally of Russian President Vladi­mir Putin, on Wednesday denied sending militants into Ukraine.Some Ukrainian officials — and local residents who have been close enough to hear the accents of fighters — have charged that Russia has enabled battle-hardened fighters from South Ossetia and Chechnya to cross the border and join the conflict. Ramzan Kadyrov, a Chechen regional leader who is an ally of Russian President Vladi­mir Putin, on Wednesday denied sending militants into Ukraine.
“Ukrainian sources are spreading reports that some ‘Chechen units’ from Russia have broken into Donetsk. I am officially declaring that this does not correspond to the facts,” Kadyrov said in an Instagram posting. But he also said some Chechens might have gone to Ukraine on “personal business.”“Ukrainian sources are spreading reports that some ‘Chechen units’ from Russia have broken into Donetsk. I am officially declaring that this does not correspond to the facts,” Kadyrov said in an Instagram posting. But he also said some Chechens might have gone to Ukraine on “personal business.”
There was a tense calm Wednesday in the center of Donetsk. There, streets were emptied of traffic, with many stores closing and people getting out of town because of fear that the violence would spread. A spokeswoman for the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic said that there had been no deaths in Donetsk as of late Wednesday afternoon and that separatist forces were in control of the city.
Poroshenko, who won the May 25 presidential election in the first round, said in an interview with Germany’s Bild newspaper that he intended to call on the United States for military supplies and training.
But he has also signaled his interest in pursuing talks with Putin, despite his view that Moscow has played a role in instigating the violence.
“Russia’s goal was, and is, to keep Ukraine so unstable that we accept everything that the Russians want,” Poroshenko said in the interview. “I have no doubt that Putin could, with his direct influence, end the fighting.”
Russia on Wednesday appeared to pivot from what was initially a cold but vaguely conciliatory response to Poroshenko’s win to accusing Kiev of escalating the violence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry duringa telephone conversation that Ukraine’s interim government must stop its military operation in southeastern Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported, quoting the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Lavrov “underscored the need for an immediate halt by Kiev of the punitive operation in the southeastern regions and for the swiftest possible launch of a nationwide dialogue, including direct talks with representatives of the southeast, in the interests of a peaceful solution,” the ministry said.
In a commencement speech Wednesday at the U.S. Military Academy, President Obama used the example of Ukraine to tout his emphasis on multilateral action. For some critics, “working through international institutions like the U.N., or respecting international law, is a sign of weakness,” he said. “I think they’re wrong.”
“In Ukraine, Russia’s recent actions recall the days when Soviet tanks rolled into Eastern Europe,” Obama said. “But this isn’t the Cold War. Our ability to shape world opinion helped isolate Russia right away.” Speaking to cadets and top Army leaders, Obama said the U.S.-led “mobilization of world opinion and international institutions served as a counterweight to Russian propaganda and Russian troops on the border and armed militias in ski masks.”
Hauslohner reported from Moscow and Deane from London.Hauslohner reported from Moscow and Deane from London.