Several pro-Russian rebels have been killed, injured and arrested in an Ukrainian offensive in the eastern city of Sloviansk, reports the BBC.
Rebels earlier shot down armed Ukrainian helicopters, that flew over the eastern rebel held region.
A spokesperson for Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said that Kiev had fired on civilians from air in a ‘punitive operation,’ reported Reuters.
The Ukrainian president said that the fight against rebel forces was ‘greatly complicated’ due to the high civilian population density in the areas.
He added that all pro-Russian checkpoints around the city had been captured.
Moscow warned that the use of Ukrainian military against the pro-Russian people in eastern regions was ‘leading Ukraine to catastrophe.’
The offensive comes as the rebels plan to hold an election on 11 May with aim to break away form Ukraine in the same manner as Crimea.
The United States defence secretary, Chuck Hagel said that Russian actions in Ukraine had destroyed the idea of European security.
See full reports from the BBC and Reuters.
Rebels earlier shot down armed Ukrainian helicopters, that flew over the eastern rebel held region.
A spokesperson for Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said that Kiev had fired on civilians from air in a ‘punitive operation,’ reported Reuters.
The Ukrainian president said that the fight against rebel forces was ‘greatly complicated’ due to the high civilian population density in the areas.
He added that all pro-Russian checkpoints around the city had been captured.
Moscow warned that the use of Ukrainian military against the pro-Russian people in eastern regions was ‘leading Ukraine to catastrophe.’
The offensive comes as the rebels plan to hold an election on 11 May with aim to break away form Ukraine in the same manner as Crimea.
The United States defence secretary, Chuck Hagel said that Russian actions in Ukraine had destroyed the idea of European security.
See full reports from the BBC and Reuters.