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Ukraine crisis: Exchange of fire in Kramatorsk, minister says Ukraine crisis: 'Another police building seized in east'
(about 2 hours later)
A gun battle has erupted in the eastern Ukrainian town of Kramatorsk, the acting interior minister says. Pro-Russia militants have taken over a police headquarters in the eastern Ukraine city of Kramatorsk, local media and witnesses say.
Arsen Avakov said it began when unidentified gunmen tried to storm local administration buildings and police fired back. This followed a gun battle with the police defending the building as the attackers stormed it.
Several other official buildings were reported to have been seized in eastern Ukraine on Saturday.Several other official buildings were reported to have been seized in eastern Ukraine on Saturday.
The confrontations come amid rising tension between the new government and pro-Russia protesters.The confrontations come amid rising tension between the new government and pro-Russia protesters.
Earlier, gunmen occupied a police station and a security services building in the town of Sloviansk. Official buildings in Druzhkovka were also reported to have been taken over.Earlier, gunmen occupied a police station and a security services building in the town of Sloviansk. Official buildings in Druzhkovka were also reported to have been taken over.
A Donetsk regional police chief also quit after pro-Russia crowds marched on a police station demanding his resignation.A Donetsk regional police chief also quit after pro-Russia crowds marched on a police station demanding his resignation.
Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and has seen a series of protests since the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and has seen a series of protests since the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.
The new government in Kiev accuses Moscow of orchestrating the unrest in eastern Ukraine. But Russia denies responsibility.The new government in Kiev accuses Moscow of orchestrating the unrest in eastern Ukraine. But Russia denies responsibility.
RepelledRepelled
Protesters in largely Russian-speaking Donetsk, 130km (80 miles) from Sloviansk, have been occupying government buildings for days and demanding a referendum on becoming part of Russia.Protesters in largely Russian-speaking Donetsk, 130km (80 miles) from Sloviansk, have been occupying government buildings for days and demanding a referendum on becoming part of Russia.
Trouble continued in several towns and cities on Saturday despite the Kiev government setting a deadline of Friday for all occupations to end.Trouble continued in several towns and cities on Saturday despite the Kiev government setting a deadline of Friday for all occupations to end.
"Kramatorsk. An attack is under way. Unknown persons fired shots at the district police department. The police are firing shots in response. A shootout is under way," Mr Avakov wrote on his Facebook page late on Saturday. "Kramatorsk. An attack is under way. Unknown persons fired shots at the district police department. The police are firing shots in response. A shootout is under way," acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on his Facebook page late on Saturday.
He also reported that an attack on police buildings in Krasny Liman late in the day had been repelled. The gunmen there had been equipped with Russian-made Kalashnikov assault rifles, he added. Video clips running on Ukraine's Hromadske TV appear to show scenes at dusk outside the police building at Kramatorsk, with people gathered on nearby streets watching.
There were no reports of casualties in Kramatorsk or Krasny Liman and Mr Avakov's comments could not be independently verified. At one point in the unverified video clips, loud and prolonged firing can be heard.
A local media account of the shooting said there had been no injuries, and that the flag of the Donetsk Republic had been raised at the building after the gunmen seized it.
The attackers, toting assault rifles and wearing camouflage and masks, introduced themselves as fighters of the "people's militia" and addressed residents, the report in Vostochnyy Proyek website said.
"We are not Ukrainian troops, we are people's militia. We are the people who have risen up to drive away the corrupt Kiev police," the attackers said.
Mr Avakov also reported that an attack on police buildings in Krasny Liman late in the day had been repelled. The gunmen there had been equipped with Russian-made Kalashnikov assault rifles, he added.
Earlier, in the town of Sloviansk, dozens of unidentified armed men in camouflage uniform seized the police station and security service premises.Earlier, in the town of Sloviansk, dozens of unidentified armed men in camouflage uniform seized the police station and security service premises.
The aim of the attack at the police station - according to the Interior Ministry - was to seize arms as some 40 automatic rifles and 400 pistols were stored there along with ammunition.The aim of the attack at the police station - according to the Interior Ministry - was to seize arms as some 40 automatic rifles and 400 pistols were stored there along with ammunition.
But a member of the group involved in the Sloviansk seizure said they wanted to fight people who represented the illegal authorities of interim President Oleksandr Turchynov, according to a video posted on Youtube.But a member of the group involved in the Sloviansk seizure said they wanted to fight people who represented the illegal authorities of interim President Oleksandr Turchynov, according to a video posted on Youtube.
Interviewed in Russian, the man said they represented the People's Front of Donbass - the industrial Donets Basin region in eastern Ukraine.Interviewed in Russian, the man said they represented the People's Front of Donbass - the industrial Donets Basin region in eastern Ukraine.
He said those involved were peaceful Donbass residents and "not fascists".He said those involved were peaceful Donbass residents and "not fascists".
The acting interior minister has promised a "very tough" response.The acting interior minister has promised a "very tough" response.
In the regional centre Donetsk, police chief Kostyantyn Pozhydayev stood down after pressure from pro-Russia protesters.In the regional centre Donetsk, police chief Kostyantyn Pozhydayev stood down after pressure from pro-Russia protesters.
"Protesters came to me. So as to prevent bloodshed, I decided to tender my resignation to the [interior] minister," he said in remarks broadcast by Ukrainian TV channel 5 Kanal."Protesters came to me. So as to prevent bloodshed, I decided to tender my resignation to the [interior] minister," he said in remarks broadcast by Ukrainian TV channel 5 Kanal.
The same channel also showed his deputy, Andriy Anosov - captioned as police chief - inviting pro-Russia protesters to work together with the police to prevent violence and looting.The same channel also showed his deputy, Andriy Anosov - captioned as police chief - inviting pro-Russia protesters to work together with the police to prevent violence and looting.