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Ukraine troops blocked in Kramatorsk as tension rises Ukraine troops blocked in Kramatorsk as tension rises
(about 2 hours later)
Ukrainian troops have entered the eastern town of Kramatorsk a day after an operation began to recapture areas seized by anti-government separatists.Ukrainian troops have entered the eastern town of Kramatorsk a day after an operation began to recapture areas seized by anti-government separatists.
However, they were blocked by civilians and it is unclear whether they have any control of the town. But they were blocked by civilians and the situation is unclear, amid reports that some may have abandoned their vehicles or even changed sides.
In the regional capital, Donetsk, pro-Russian gunmen took control of the mayor's office. In the city of Donetsk, which has seen weeks of unrest, pro-Russian gunmen seized control of the mayor's office.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has warned Russia wants to build a new "Berlin Wall". Meanwhile Nato announced it was beefing up its eastern members' defences.
In a televised address he demanded that Russia "stop supporting terrorists in Ukraine". As tensions rose, Ukraine's acting Defence Minister, Mykhailo Koval, was said to be travelling to the east of the country to monitor the progress of the "anti-terrorist operation" announced by acting President Olexander Turchynov the previous day.
Ukrainian forces recaptured an airfield outside Kramatorsk on Tuesday and armoured vehicles were seen in the centre of the town early on Wednesday. The interim Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, called on Russia to "stop supporting terrorists in Ukraine".
The crisis escalated in eastern parts of Ukraine this month after pro-Russian rebels seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities, demanding greater autonomy or referendums on secession.
Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are believed to have massed on Ukraine's borders since Russia took control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea last month, following a controversial referendum on self-determination.
'Not to fight'
After Ukrainian forces recaptured an airfield outside Kramatorsk on Tuesday, armoured vehicles appeared in the centre of the town early on Wednesday.
BBC journalists witnessed civilians, at least some of whom appeared to be local people, challenging soldiers who were also blocked by a crowd a few kilometres outside the town.
One officer said he had not "come to fight" and would never obey orders to shoot his "own people".
Video later emerged of armoured personnel carriers, flying Russian flags, which were said to be travelling in the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk area.Video later emerged of armoured personnel carriers, flying Russian flags, which were said to be travelling in the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk area.
The Ukrainian army told AFP news agency it had no reports of any of its equipment being seized.
In Donetsk, where activists have been occupying the regional government building since 6 April, gunmen met no resistance as they entered the mayor's office.In Donetsk, where activists have been occupying the regional government building since 6 April, gunmen met no resistance as they entered the mayor's office.
They told an AFP correspondent their only demand was for the region to stage a referendum on turning Ukraine into a federation with broader local rights.They told an AFP correspondent their only demand was for the region to stage a referendum on turning Ukraine into a federation with broader local rights.
'Civil war' Russia accused
Russia's President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine was "on the verge of civil war" in a phone call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after acting President Olexander Turchynov announced the start of the operation to reclaim territory. In Brussels, Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen promised "more planes in the air, mores ships on the water, more readiness on the land".
Russian officials said both leaders "emphasised the importance" during the conversation of planned four-way talks on Thursday between senior diplomats from Russia, the EU, the US and Ukraine. The alliance includes two ex-Soviet Baltic republics with large ethnic Russian communities, Latvia and Estonia, while other members such as Poland share borders with Russia.
However, Ukrainian and Western officials have accused Russia of being behind the pro-Russia activism in the region. Moscow strongly denies fomenting the unrest. Russia's President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukraine was "on the verge of civil war" in a phone call on Tuesday to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Ukrainian counter-terrorism chief Gen Vasyl Krutov, speaking to reporters at Kramatorsk airfield late on Tuesday, emphasised that armed individuals had crossed the border into Ukraine. Four-way talks are due to take place on Thursday in Geneva between diplomats from Russia, the EU, the US and Ukraine.
"We have to deal with a very serious, highly skilled and very professional opponent," he said according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Ukrainian and Western officials have accused Russia of being behind the pro-Russia activism in the region while Moscow denies fomenting the unrest.
"They display a very high level of preparedness, tactical and practical skill. These people must have been to hot spots across the world and on their own territory." Ahead of the annexation of Crimea, masked soldiers believed to be Russian troops appeared at strategic points across the peninsula alongside "self-defence" units, said to have been formed locally.
Last month's annexation of Crimea by Moscow was preceded by the presence of uniformed, armed men believed to be Russian troops, although in greater numbers than the similarly dressed and equipped men who have been seen in eastern Ukraine, correspondents say. Speaking in London, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said Russia had sent "thinly disguised" armed groups into eastern Ukraine to spearhead the occupation of buildings.
The Kremlin has condemned the Ukrainian military operation in eastern Ukraine as an "anti-constitutional course to use force against peaceful protest actions".
Buildings seized
Tensions have mounted in recent days after pro-Russian rebels seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across eastern Ukraine.
They are demanding greater autonomy or referendums on secession from Ukraine.
Speaking in London, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said Russia had sent in "thinly disguised" armed groups to spearhead the occupation of buildings.
Moscow, he said, faced "serious long-term consequences" if it continued to destabilise Ukraine.Moscow, he said, faced "serious long-term consequences" if it continued to destabilise Ukraine.
Russia took control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea last month, after it held a controversial referendum on self-determination. The US has said it is "seriously considering" adding to sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea. It described Ukraine's military operation as a "measured" response to a lawless insurgency.
The US has said it is "seriously considering" adding to sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea.
The White House has described Ukraine's military operation as a "measured" response to a lawless insurgency.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? What is the situation like where you are? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Eastern Ukraine'.Are you in eastern Ukraine? What is the situation like where you are? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Eastern Ukraine'.