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Ukraine 'bid to take back Sloviansk police HQ' Ukraine crisis: Casualties in Sloviansk gun battles
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainian forces have launched an operation against pro-Russian activists who seized a police station on Saturday, the interior minister says. Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian armed men have traded gunfire in a battle for control of the eastern town of Sloviansk, the interior minister says.
Arsen Avakov announced on his Facebook page that "all security units" were involved in an "anti-terror operation" in the eastern city of Sloviansk. At least one Ukrainian officer was killed and both sides suffered casualties, Arsen Avakov said.
Russia warned earlier that any use of force in eastern Ukraine could scupper crisis talks due later this week. Pro-Russian forces took over the town on Saturday, prompting Kiev to launch an "anti-terror operation".
The US accuses Moscow of inciting the trouble. The Kremlin denies the charge. Kiev and Western powers accuse Moscow of inciting the trouble. The Kremlin denies the charge.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kiev government was "demonstrating its inability to take responsibility for the fate of the country". Sloviansk was one of three towns in the Donetsk region to be hit by pro-Russian gunmen on Saturday.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had warned earlier that any use of force in eastern Ukraine could scupper crisis talks due later this week.
He said the Kiev government was "demonstrating its inability to take responsibility for the fate of the country".
But the US said there had been a "concerted campaign" by forces with Russian support to undermine the authorities in Kiev.But the US said there had been a "concerted campaign" by forces with Russian support to undermine the authorities in Kiev.
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned of "additional consequences" if Russia failed to make efforts to "de-escalate" and pull its troops back from Ukraine's border.US Secretary of State John Kerry warned of "additional consequences" if Russia failed to make efforts to "de-escalate" and pull its troops back from Ukraine's border.
Four-party talks involving Ukraine, Russia, the US and the EU are due to start in Geneva on Thursday.Four-party talks involving Ukraine, Russia, the US and the EU are due to start in Geneva on Thursday.
'Shooting to kill''Shooting to kill'
On Saturday, armed men took over police stations and official buildings in Sloviansk and two other eastern towns - Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka. On Saturday, armed men took over police stations and official buildings in Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka.
Similar reports emerged from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk of armed men dressed in camouflage arriving in buses and storming the police stations. Reports emerged from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk of armed men dressed in camouflage arriving in buses and storming the police stations.
Pro-Russian demonstrators also continued their occupation of the main administrative building in the regional capital Donetsk, which they have held for one week.Pro-Russian demonstrators also continued their occupation of the main administrative building in the regional capital Donetsk, which they have held for one week.
A protest leader told the BBC that the activists in Sloviansk took action to support the Donetsk sit-in.A protest leader told the BBC that the activists in Sloviansk took action to support the Donetsk sit-in.
BBC reporters in Sloviansk said the gunmen were well-organised and had quickly established control throughout the town. BBC reporters in Sloviansk said the gunmen were well-organised and quickly established control throughout the town.
Checkpoints had been set up on the main roads into the town.Checkpoints had been set up on the main roads into the town.
Mr Avakov labelled the actions a "display of aggression by Russia".Mr Avakov labelled the actions a "display of aggression by Russia".
Announcing the operation to clear the activists, he warned people to stay in their homes in Sloviansk.Announcing the operation to clear the activists, he warned people to stay in their homes in Sloviansk.
"The separatists are shooting to kill without warning against the approaching special forces," he said,"The separatists are shooting to kill without warning against the approaching special forces," he said,
Local governor Sergei Taruta said "all legitimate means" would be used to combat "acts of terror" and restore order across Donetsk region.Local governor Sergei Taruta said "all legitimate means" would be used to combat "acts of terror" and restore order across Donetsk region.
Unconfirmed eyewitnesses accounts suggested there was a gun-battle raging around Sloviansk police station.
Accounts on Ukrainian media said the police station had been recaptured, but officials have not yet commented.
Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and has seen a series of protests since the ousting of Ukraine's 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 Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".Are you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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