This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27138300

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Russia orders exercises after Ukraine moves on separatists Russia orders exercises after Ukraine moves on separatists
(35 minutes later)
Russia has ordered new military exercises on its border with Ukraine in response to an operation by Kiev against pro-Russian separatists.Russia has ordered new military exercises on its border with Ukraine in response to an operation by Kiev against pro-Russian separatists.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had been "forced to react" after Ukrainian commandos moved on the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk.Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had been "forced to react" after Ukrainian commandos moved on the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk.
President Vladimir Putin had earlier warned Ukraine of "consequences".President Vladimir Putin had earlier warned Ukraine of "consequences".
Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the central government.Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the central government.
Mr Shoigu was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying: "If this military machine is not stopped, it will lead to greater numbers of dead and wounded.Mr Shoigu was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying: "If this military machine is not stopped, it will lead to greater numbers of dead and wounded.
"We are forced to react to such a development of the situation.""We are forced to react to such a development of the situation."
The exercises will be in Russia's southern and western military districts, with Mr Shoigu adding that "the air force will conduct flights to train for manoeuvres along the state borders".The exercises will be in Russia's southern and western military districts, with Mr Shoigu adding that "the air force will conduct flights to train for manoeuvres along the state borders".
Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.
Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops from the border and end what he called its "blackmail", adding that Kiev would not yield to "Russian-backed terrorists".Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops from the border and end what he called its "blackmail", adding that Kiev would not yield to "Russian-backed terrorists".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement saying he was "seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement saying he was "seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict".
He said "military action must be avoided at all costs".He said "military action must be avoided at all costs".
Sanctions 'teed up'Sanctions 'teed up'
At least two pro-Russian separatists were earlier reported killed as Ukrainian commandos, backed by armoured vehicles, cleared checkpoints on the outskirts of Sloviansk. At least two pro-Russian separatists were reported killed as Ukrainian commandos, backed by armoured vehicles, cleared checkpoints on the outskirts of Sloviansk. The Ukrainian units later pulled back.
There was also unrest in the south-eastern city of Mariupol, where Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said government forces had ousted pro-Russian militants from the city hall. BBC correspondents visited one checkpoint, south of a village called Makatikha, and reported seeing smoking tyres. But they say there was no live fire and no sign of bodies.
However, the BBC's Natalia Antelava in Mariupol says that although it appears the mayor and an armed contingent did enter early in the morning, there is no sign of Ukrainian troops now. The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Sloviansk, said the centre of the town was calm with the makeshift checkpoints set up by pro-Russian activists still in place.
She says pro-Russian activists plan to re-enter once the building has been checked for mines. There was also unrest in the south-eastern city of Mariupol, where Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said government forces had ousted pro-Russian militants from city hall.
The Ukrainian armoured vehicles and troops in the Sloviansk operation now appear to have pulled back. However, the BBC's Natalia Antelava in Mariupol says that although it appears the mayor and an armed contingent did enter early in the morning, there was later no sign of Ukrainian troops, and pro-Russian activists were planning to re-enter the building.
BBC correspondents visited one checkpoint, south of a village called Makatikha, and reported seeing smoking tyres and broken sandbags. But they say there was no live fire and no sign of bodies. Speaking on Russian TV, Mr Putin said: "If the regime in Kiev has begun using the army against the population inside the country, then this is undoubtedly a very serious crime."
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Sloviansk, says the centre of the town appears calm, with people in the streets and the makeshift checkpoints set up by pro-Russian activists still in place. He warned of "consequences" and said "inter-state relations" would be affected.
Speaking on Russian TV as news of the Sloviansk operation was coming in, Mr Putin said: "If the regime in Kiev has begun using the army against the population inside the country, then this is undoubtedly a very serious crime.
"Of course, this will have consequences for the people who take such decisions, and this also affects our inter-state relations."
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has accused Russia of flouting a deal on Ukraine reached in Geneva last week, under which illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, would return home.Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has accused Russia of flouting a deal on Ukraine reached in Geneva last week, under which illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, would return home.
Mr Obama told a news conference in Japan that Moscow had failed to halt actions by militants in the region and warned that the US had further sanctions against Russia "teed up". Mr Obama told a news conference in Japan that the US had further sanctions against Russia "teed up".
A contingent of US troops has begun landing in Poland for military exercises amid concerns among Nato's eastern member states about Russia's intentions.A contingent of US troops has begun landing in Poland for military exercises amid concerns among Nato's eastern member states about Russia's intentions.
Mr Shoigu said on Thursday: "Planned exercises by Nato forces in Poland and the Baltic countries do not foster normalisation of the situation surrounding Ukraine."Mr Shoigu said on Thursday: "Planned exercises by Nato forces in Poland and the Baltic countries do not foster normalisation of the situation surrounding Ukraine."
Moscow has said it will respond to any attack on its interests in Ukraine, and has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.
Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.
In other developments on Thursday:In other developments on Thursday:
Are you in Sloviansk? Are you in Mariupol? How has the unrest affected you? You can email us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.Are you in Sloviansk? Are you in Mariupol? How has the unrest affected you? You can email us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.