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| Clashes spread across eastern Ukraine; up to 5 pro-Russian activists reported killed | Clashes spread across eastern Ukraine; up to 5 pro-Russian activists reported killed |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| DONETSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian security forces killed “up to five” pro-Russian activists Thursday in the restive eastern part of the country, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said, as Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned any use of the Ukrainian military against its own citizens. | DONETSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian security forces killed “up to five” pro-Russian activists Thursday in the restive eastern part of the country, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said, as Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned any use of the Ukrainian military against its own citizens. |
| The pro-Russian activists were killed in clashes at three checkpoints in the city of Slovyansk, and one Ukrainian soldier was wounded, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The violence broke out as clashes involving Ukrainian security forces, local protesters and pro-Russian militants spread across eastern Ukraine, with other fighting reported at an arms depot and a city hall. | The pro-Russian activists were killed in clashes at three checkpoints in the city of Slovyansk, and one Ukrainian soldier was wounded, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The violence broke out as clashes involving Ukrainian security forces, local protesters and pro-Russian militants spread across eastern Ukraine, with other fighting reported at an arms depot and a city hall. |
| The Russian military launched “tactical drills” Thursday in the regions bordering Ukraine in response to events across the border, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting in Moscow. | |
| If Ukraine’s “war machine” does not halt, Shoigu said, it will lead to a large number of casualties. | |
| “We have to react to such a development,” he said. | |
| Putin spoke forcefully against the Ukrainian military action as the clashes were underway. | |
| “If the Kiev regime has started to use the army against the population inside the country, it, beyond any doubt, is a very serious crime,” Putin said at a media forum in St. Petersburg. | “If the Kiev regime has started to use the army against the population inside the country, it, beyond any doubt, is a very serious crime,” Putin said at a media forum in St. Petersburg. |
| Outside the regional capital of Donetsk, at least three checkpoints that on Wednesday were occupied by local militias were being manned Thursday afternoon by the Ukrainian national police, who were erecting sandbags. | Outside the regional capital of Donetsk, at least three checkpoints that on Wednesday were occupied by local militias were being manned Thursday afternoon by the Ukrainian national police, who were erecting sandbags. |
| Members of pro-Russian “self-defense” forces said that at least one person was killed outside Slovyansk. | Members of pro-Russian “self-defense” forces said that at least one person was killed outside Slovyansk. |
| In a news conference in Tokyo on the first stop of an Asian trip, President Obama said the United States has “teed up” additional sanctions that could be imposed against Russia unless Putin does more to encourage pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine to put down their arms. | In a news conference in Tokyo on the first stop of an Asian trip, President Obama said the United States has “teed up” additional sanctions that could be imposed against Russia unless Putin does more to encourage pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine to put down their arms. |
| “There’s always the possibility that tomorrow or the next day Russia takes another course,” Obama said. “Do I think they’re going to do that? So far the evidence doesn’t make me hopeful.” | “There’s always the possibility that tomorrow or the next day Russia takes another course,” Obama said. “Do I think they’re going to do that? So far the evidence doesn’t make me hopeful.” |
| In Slovyansk, which international observers have said is effectively controlled by armed pro-Russian activists, a Moscow supporter who calls himself the “people’s mayor” threatened to protect his men with hostages. | In Slovyansk, which international observers have said is effectively controlled by armed pro-Russian activists, a Moscow supporter who calls himself the “people’s mayor” threatened to protect his men with hostages. |
| “About 40 minutes ago, an armed clash erupted on the outskirts of Slovyansk,” Miroslav Rudenko, a leader of the Donetsk region’s pro-Russian “self-defense militia,” told the Moscow-based Interfax news agency. “Reports of one fatality and one injured person are being verified. Other roadblocks located near the exits from the city have been attacked as well.” | “About 40 minutes ago, an armed clash erupted on the outskirts of Slovyansk,” Miroslav Rudenko, a leader of the Donetsk region’s pro-Russian “self-defense militia,” told the Moscow-based Interfax news agency. “Reports of one fatality and one injured person are being verified. Other roadblocks located near the exits from the city have been attacked as well.” |
| Rudenko added: “At the moment it is very difficult to reach our militia members on their cellphones. A ‘combat situation’ has emerged in the city. I do not rule out that cellphone services could have been cut off.” | Rudenko added: “At the moment it is very difficult to reach our militia members on their cellphones. A ‘combat situation’ has emerged in the city. I do not rule out that cellphone services could have been cut off.” |
| It was unclear who was attacking the checkpoints in Slovyansk. Local residents reported that Ukrainian military helicopters were in the area, but the reports could not immediately be confirmed. | It was unclear who was attacking the checkpoints in Slovyansk. Local residents reported that Ukrainian military helicopters were in the area, but the reports could not immediately be confirmed. |
| The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said 70 unidentified armed men, using automatic weapons and grenades, attacked an arms depot at Artemovsk. The ministry said Ukrainian security forces repelled the attack and that one Ukrainian soldier was wounded. | The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said 70 unidentified armed men, using automatic weapons and grenades, attacked an arms depot at Artemovsk. The ministry said Ukrainian security forces repelled the attack and that one Ukrainian soldier was wounded. |
| Local residents said they believed the attack came from anti-Kiev activists seeking access to the weapons depot. | Local residents said they believed the attack came from anti-Kiev activists seeking access to the weapons depot. |
| Serhiy Taruta, the interim governor of the Donetsk region and one of the richest men in Ukraine, said in an interview that the militant pro-Russian separatists in cities such as Slovyansk represent only a small percentage of the local population. | Serhiy Taruta, the interim governor of the Donetsk region and one of the richest men in Ukraine, said in an interview that the militant pro-Russian separatists in cities such as Slovyansk represent only a small percentage of the local population. |
| “There is a local problem, and lots of criminal or half criminal elements are engaged in looting, plundering and, unfortunately, killing,” he said. “The police have not been able to work effectively against these forces.” | “There is a local problem, and lots of criminal or half criminal elements are engaged in looting, plundering and, unfortunately, killing,” he said. “The police have not been able to work effectively against these forces.” |
| Taruta said he and his team have been actively negotiating with the pro-Russian activists and anti-Kiev protesters who have taken over or surrounded public buildings across the region. | Taruta said he and his team have been actively negotiating with the pro-Russian activists and anti-Kiev protesters who have taken over or surrounded public buildings across the region. |
| According to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, the City Hall in Mariupol, a southeastern Ukrainian port city on the Sea of Azov, has been cleared of pro-Russian protesters who had been occupying it for more than a week. Avakov said the mayor was back at work. | According to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, the City Hall in Mariupol, a southeastern Ukrainian port city on the Sea of Azov, has been cleared of pro-Russian protesters who had been occupying it for more than a week. Avakov said the mayor was back at work. |
| Pro-Russian protesters and masked gunmen have been occupying government buildings across eastern Ukraine for nearly two weeks and refusing to recognize Ukraine’s fledging government. | Pro-Russian protesters and masked gunmen have been occupying government buildings across eastern Ukraine for nearly two weeks and refusing to recognize Ukraine’s fledging government. |
| Avakov wrote in a Facebook post Thursday that the Mariupol City Hall “has been freed to resume work.” | Avakov wrote in a Facebook post Thursday that the Mariupol City Hall “has been freed to resume work.” |
| But eyewitnesses in the city said the anti-Kiev protesters who were occupying the building were first attacked overnight by a group of masked men armed with clubs. Five people were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. | But eyewitnesses in the city said the anti-Kiev protesters who were occupying the building were first attacked overnight by a group of masked men armed with clubs. Five people were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. |
| Russia warned Wednesday that it was prepared to retaliate against any attack on its citizens or interests in Ukraine. | Russia warned Wednesday that it was prepared to retaliate against any attack on its citizens or interests in Ukraine. |
| The escalation came as U.S. paratroopers landed in Poland to begin training exercises intended to demonstrate support for American allies in the region. | The escalation came as U.S. paratroopers landed in Poland to begin training exercises intended to demonstrate support for American allies in the region. |
| “If we are attacked, we would certainly respond,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the RT television network in Moscow, recalling the five-day war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, when Moscow acted to protect pro-Russian secessionists in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia. | “If we are attacked, we would certainly respond,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the RT television network in Moscow, recalling the five-day war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, when Moscow acted to protect pro-Russian secessionists in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia. |
| “If our interests, our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians, have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia, for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in accordance with international law,” he said. | “If our interests, our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians, have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia, for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in accordance with international law,” he said. |
| “Russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the Russian Federation,” Lavrov said. He also accused the United States of directing the actions of the Ukrainian government in a “hands-on manner,” noting that Ukraine had ordered Wednesday’s military action only after a Tuesday visit from Vice President Biden. | “Russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the Russian Federation,” Lavrov said. He also accused the United States of directing the actions of the Ukrainian government in a “hands-on manner,” noting that Ukraine had ordered Wednesday’s military action only after a Tuesday visit from Vice President Biden. |
| In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said it was “ludicrous” for Lavrov to claim “that the United States has anything to do with Ukraine’s counterterrorism operation or that . . . we’re running the show or funding it.” She called Lavrov’s remarks “counterproductive and inflammatory” and noted that he gave no indication of a Russian plan to implement last week’s Geneva agreement to use Moscow’s influence to disarm the separatists and push for occupied buildings to be vacated. | In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said it was “ludicrous” for Lavrov to claim “that the United States has anything to do with Ukraine’s counterterrorism operation or that . . . we’re running the show or funding it.” She called Lavrov’s remarks “counterproductive and inflammatory” and noted that he gave no indication of a Russian plan to implement last week’s Geneva agreement to use Moscow’s influence to disarm the separatists and push for occupied buildings to be vacated. |
| President Obama said last week that he hoped to see Russia follow through “over the next several days” on the agreement, reached with the United States, Ukraine and the European Union. After White House meetings this week, officials said they anticipated that U.S. asset freezes and visa bans would be announced against a new set of prominent Russians by Friday. | President Obama said last week that he hoped to see Russia follow through “over the next several days” on the agreement, reached with the United States, Ukraine and the European Union. After White House meetings this week, officials said they anticipated that U.S. asset freezes and visa bans would be announced against a new set of prominent Russians by Friday. |
| Lavrov’s declaration, which echoes warnings given by Russia before its annexation of Crimea last month, followed the discovery in eastern Ukraine of the body of a local politician who supported Ukrainian unity. He had been tortured and dumped in a river after being abducted last week, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday. | Lavrov’s declaration, which echoes warnings given by Russia before its annexation of Crimea last month, followed the discovery in eastern Ukraine of the body of a local politician who supported Ukrainian unity. He had been tortured and dumped in a river after being abducted last week, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday. |
| “The terrorists who effectively took the whole Donetsk region hostage have now gone too far,” Ukraine’s acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, said after officials identified the stabbed and bruised body of Volodymyr Rybak. His corpse and that of an unidentified man were found Saturday near Slovyansk, a city that international observers say is controlled by armed pro-Russian activists. | “The terrorists who effectively took the whole Donetsk region hostage have now gone too far,” Ukraine’s acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, said after officials identified the stabbed and bruised body of Volodymyr Rybak. His corpse and that of an unidentified man were found Saturday near Slovyansk, a city that international observers say is controlled by armed pro-Russian activists. |
| “These crimes are being committed with the full support and connivance of the Russian Federation,” Turchynov said. | “These crimes are being committed with the full support and connivance of the Russian Federation,” Turchynov said. |
| Rybak was kidnapped last Thursday by four men in military uniforms who hustled him into a vehicle outside City Hall in Horlivka, a depressed industrial and mining city about 26 miles northeast of the regional capital, Donetsk. Rybak, a local council member, had tried to lower the flag of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” at City Hall and replace it with the Ukrainian flag. | Rybak was kidnapped last Thursday by four men in military uniforms who hustled him into a vehicle outside City Hall in Horlivka, a depressed industrial and mining city about 26 miles northeast of the regional capital, Donetsk. Rybak, a local council member, had tried to lower the flag of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” at City Hall and replace it with the Ukrainian flag. |
| Rybak’s wife, Elena, said in an interview soon after her husband was taken that she feared the worst. “He was a police and knows how to defend himself,” she said. “He would not have gone anywhere without a fight.” | Rybak’s wife, Elena, said in an interview soon after her husband was taken that she feared the worst. “He was a police and knows how to defend himself,” she said. “He would not have gone anywhere without a fight.” |
| Her hands shook as she held a cellphone, waiting for a call. A friend told her that Rybak would call soon. “I don’t think so,” she said. | Her hands shook as she held a cellphone, waiting for a call. A friend told her that Rybak would call soon. “I don’t think so,” she said. |
| She and her adult son identified Rybak’s body Wednesday. | She and her adult son identified Rybak’s body Wednesday. |
| Vasilii Mirozhnik, who knew Rybak well at City Hall, said, “He was a regular guy, a popular guy, with strong opinions, always fighting for justice.” | Vasilii Mirozhnik, who knew Rybak well at City Hall, said, “He was a regular guy, a popular guy, with strong opinions, always fighting for justice.” |
| Mirozhnik wore a Ukrainian flag pin on his lapel. Asked about it, he said, “Why not? It’s my country. I am proud of it.” | Mirozhnik wore a Ukrainian flag pin on his lapel. Asked about it, he said, “Why not? It’s my country. I am proud of it.” |
| For many residents here, the flag they fly — Ukrainian or Russian — is of profound importance. In the past few days, people who want to remain in a united Ukraine — though with more self-government and more say over budget issues — have begun to assert themselves in rallies and flash mobs organized over social media. | For many residents here, the flag they fly — Ukrainian or Russian — is of profound importance. In the past few days, people who want to remain in a united Ukraine — though with more self-government and more say over budget issues — have begun to assert themselves in rallies and flash mobs organized over social media. |
| Growing violence | Growing violence |
| There has been a rise in reports of beatings, disappearances and detentions in recent days. On Tuesday in Kramatorsk , the police chief was taken out of his station by armed men, the deputy mayor was beaten and the Security Service building was seized. | There has been a rise in reports of beatings, disappearances and detentions in recent days. On Tuesday in Kramatorsk , the police chief was taken out of his station by armed men, the deputy mayor was beaten and the Security Service building was seized. |
| The Kyiv Post newspaper reported Wednesday that 12 people have been kidnapped over the past week in Slovyansk and Horlivka. | The Kyiv Post newspaper reported Wednesday that 12 people have been kidnapped over the past week in Slovyansk and Horlivka. |
| “It’s chaos,” said Yurii Zhuk, a fellow deputy on the Horlivka City Council with Rybak. He said he did not know who kidnapped and killed Rybak. “They’re outsiders,” he said. “Radical elements.” | “It’s chaos,” said Yurii Zhuk, a fellow deputy on the Horlivka City Council with Rybak. He said he did not know who kidnapped and killed Rybak. “They’re outsiders,” he said. “Radical elements.” |
| Zhuk said that “the police were useless.” In a video taken right before Rybak was kidnapped, police officers in blue uniforms are visible in the crowd. “They’re demoralized,” Zhuk said. “They’re divided.” | Zhuk said that “the police were useless.” In a video taken right before Rybak was kidnapped, police officers in blue uniforms are visible in the crowd. “They’re demoralized,” Zhuk said. “They’re divided.” |
| Oleg Gubanov, another City Council member, said the killing of Rybak and other violence are driven by “third parties who want to destabilize the situation.” | Oleg Gubanov, another City Council member, said the killing of Rybak and other violence are driven by “third parties who want to destabilize the situation.” |
| Several Ukrainian reporters have been arrested. And an American journalist, Simon Ostrovsky, who works for Vice News, has been detained in Slovyansk since Tuesday. The leader of the pro-Russian forces in the city, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said Wednesday that Ostrovsky had been detained by “self-defense forces,” Interfax reported. “According to our information, he is an informer for Pravy Sektor,” the right-wing Ukrainian nationalist organization, Ponomaryov told the news agency. | Several Ukrainian reporters have been arrested. And an American journalist, Simon Ostrovsky, who works for Vice News, has been detained in Slovyansk since Tuesday. The leader of the pro-Russian forces in the city, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said Wednesday that Ostrovsky had been detained by “self-defense forces,” Interfax reported. “According to our information, he is an informer for Pravy Sektor,” the right-wing Ukrainian nationalist organization, Ponomaryov told the news agency. |
| “The journalist has normal living conditions and is being fed,” he said. | “The journalist has normal living conditions and is being fed,” he said. |
| To the north and west of Ukraine, a company of 150 U.S. paratroopers landed in Poland on Wednesday to begin exercises with the Polish military, a move that has been greeted with relief by Eastern European leaders who fear Russian military actions near their borders. Three other similar-size companies of U.S. troops will be sent to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the next several days. | To the north and west of Ukraine, a company of 150 U.S. paratroopers landed in Poland on Wednesday to begin exercises with the Polish military, a move that has been greeted with relief by Eastern European leaders who fear Russian military actions near their borders. Three other similar-size companies of U.S. troops will be sent to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the next several days. |
| Birnbaum reported from Moscow. Will Englund in Moscow, Juliet Eilperin in Tokyo and Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. |