Published time: May 02, 2014 02:49
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The Ukrainian army has begun a special operation against pro-autonomy activists in the eastern town of Slavyansk. The city is now blockaded by the Ukrainian military, with 20 helicopters reportedly deployed to crack down on self-defense forces.
Edited time: May 02, 2014 07:08
Two more helicopters have been shot down by self-defense forces, according to reports. Earlier, two helicopters were reportedly shot down, with one pilot dead and another one captured, RIA Novosti news agency reported. This information was confirmed by Ukraine's coup-appointed Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has also stated that they control ten checkpoints in Slavyansk. Reports have emerged that the Kiev forces are also going to attack Kramatorsk which is 19 kilometers away.
One protester was killed, and another one injured during the attack on the city, say self-defense forces.
Also, a journalist’s car has reportedly been fired on, according to RT's Paula Slier who is trying to reach the scene, but the Ukrainian army seems to be blocking all entrances to the city - and even Kramatorsk.
Slavyansk self-defense forces told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian military had attacked several positions.
Ukrainian security force officers walk past a checkpoint set on fire and left by pro-Russian separatists near Slavyansk April 24, 2014 (Reuters / Gleb Garanich)
A wounded helicopter pilot being helped into an ambulance by self-defense forces.
“The attack is targeting a few checkpoints at the same time. A few armored vehicles and airborne combat vehicles arrived and airborne troops descended from the helicopters and attacked the checkpoints. Some forces were dropped off around the train station, where we didn’t have anyone,” RIA Novosti quoted the press secretary of the Slavyansk self-defense units as saying.
Early on Friday morning, a city siren – which is designed to warn local residents of a Ukrainian military attack – went off and shots were heard. A few minutes later, the siren stopped and everything calmed down, according to reports.
A few of the activists were injured during the attack, Interfax cited the city’s self-defense unit as saying.
A commander at one of the checkpoints told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian army had taken control of one of the roadblocks on the outskirts of Slavyansk, as well as the city’s TV broadcasting center. The Ukrainian army was mounting artillery positions around the captured TV station in Slavyansk, a city administration spokesman said, as cited by RIA Novosti.
A police station was reportedly seized, while the city center remains quiet, RT’s Paula Slier reported from Ukraine. Several armored vehicles have been seen outside Slavyansk, she added.
Thick smoke was spotted on the outskirts of the city, where the roadblocks are located.
A video posted on YouTube reportedly shows the start of the special operation in Slavyansk:
Ukraine uses aviation, airborne troops against civilians in Slavyansk
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