24/04/2014 15:32
Kiev resumes special operation in Slaviansk, deaths reported
A gunfight has broken out near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk between unidentified gunmen and forces from the local people’s militia, the activists’ headquarters told RIA Novosti Thursday.
According to the city’s official website, slavgorod.com.ua, two men were killed and an unspecified number were injured.
The city’s hospital confirmed that there “is a serious battle and dead and injured are continuing to arrive.”
Ukrainian authorities launched a special operation to crack down on pro-federalization activists in eastern regions of the country that have been swept by rallies since last month. Protesters in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Gorlovka, Slaviansk and Kramatorsk refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government and are urging interim authorities to hold referendums similar to the one held in Crimea last month, which led to the republic's reunification with Russia.