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One City Falls to Pro-Russian Militants; in Another, the Mayor Is Shot One City Falls to Pro-Russian Militants; in Another, the Mayor Is Shot
(4 months later)
KONSTANTINOVKA, Ukraine — The crisis in eastern Ukraine took dark turns on Monday as the mayor of the country’s second-largest city was gravely wounded in an assassination attempt and masked antigovernment militants seized control of this city almost effortlessly, laying bare the limits of the interim government’s control. KONSTANTINOVKA, Ukraine — The crisis in eastern Ukraine took dark turns on Monday as the mayor of the country’s second-largest city was gravely wounded in an assassination attempt and masked antigovernment militants seized control of this city almost effortlessly, laying bare the limits of the interim government’s control.
The violence was followed by a pro-government rally in the eastern city of Donetsk that was broken up by a rival pro-Russian crowd that beat and scattered the demonstrators shortly after they gathered, while the police stepped aside and looked on.The violence was followed by a pro-government rally in the eastern city of Donetsk that was broken up by a rival pro-Russian crowd that beat and scattered the demonstrators shortly after they gathered, while the police stepped aside and looked on.
One Ukrainian soldier was killed by an explosion in the Donetsk region and another wounded as they cleared an obstacle, the Defense Ministry said, in a statement suggesting its troops may have for the first time been struck by an improvised roadside bomb.One Ukrainian soldier was killed by an explosion in the Donetsk region and another wounded as they cleared an obstacle, the Defense Ministry said, in a statement suggesting its troops may have for the first time been struck by an improvised roadside bomb.
Taken together, the events pointed to the further enfeeblement of the interim government in Kiev, which came to power after chasing President Viktor F. Yanukovych from office in February.Taken together, the events pointed to the further enfeeblement of the interim government in Kiev, which came to power after chasing President Viktor F. Yanukovych from office in February.
They also provided further evidence of the near irrelevance of a diplomatic agreement reached in Geneva this month aimed at defusing what remains a still escalating crisis.They also provided further evidence of the near irrelevance of a diplomatic agreement reached in Geneva this month aimed at defusing what remains a still escalating crisis.
The events here in Konstantinovka also demonstrated the profound difficulties faced by Ukraine’s security and military forces in the field.The events here in Konstantinovka also demonstrated the profound difficulties faced by Ukraine’s security and military forces in the field.
Police and army units had tried to establish what they called a blockade around the militia-held city of Slovyansk, which has become an antigovernment stronghold.Police and army units had tried to establish what they called a blockade around the militia-held city of Slovyansk, which has become an antigovernment stronghold.
But on Monday morning the militants effectively mocked the government’s effort, as a small contingent of armed middle-aged men appeared outside the blockaded area and captured another City Council building, this one in Konstantinovka.But on Monday morning the militants effectively mocked the government’s effort, as a small contingent of armed middle-aged men appeared outside the blockaded area and captured another City Council building, this one in Konstantinovka.
The militants encountered no resistance from the local police or residents. Carrying assault rifles and at least one portable anti-armor rocket, and wearing mismatched uniforms and masks, the contingent was promptly joined by civilians who began erecting a barricade of sandbags, truck tires and concrete blocks.The militants encountered no resistance from the local police or residents. Carrying assault rifles and at least one portable anti-armor rocket, and wearing mismatched uniforms and masks, the contingent was promptly joined by civilians who began erecting a barricade of sandbags, truck tires and concrete blocks.
Loudspeakers blared pro-Russian and Soviet music as dozens of residents enlisted in a newly formed city self-defense force, adding their names to lists compiled on tables near the building’s front steps.Loudspeakers blared pro-Russian and Soviet music as dozens of residents enlisted in a newly formed city self-defense force, adding their names to lists compiled on tables near the building’s front steps.
“We want a referendum,” said the group’s commander, speaking of a vote that would grant eastern provinces more authority from Kiev. He declined to give his name.“We want a referendum,” said the group’s commander, speaking of a vote that would grant eastern provinces more authority from Kiev. He declined to give his name.
In an ominous sign for those hoping to keep Ukraine intact, many in the crowd went further, and called for secession and joining Russia.In an ominous sign for those hoping to keep Ukraine intact, many in the crowd went further, and called for secession and joining Russia.
“I heard Putin made life better in Crimea,” said Vladimir P. Kostilyov, 63, a local pensioner. “I want to live better, too.”“I heard Putin made life better in Crimea,” said Vladimir P. Kostilyov, 63, a local pensioner. “I want to live better, too.”
He added: “I’m unarmed, but if I need to, I’ll take up a gun in five minutes and shoot until the last bullet. If they don’t start listening to my voice, they will start hearing the sound of a rifle in my hands.”He added: “I’m unarmed, but if I need to, I’ll take up a gun in five minutes and shoot until the last bullet. If they don’t start listening to my voice, they will start hearing the sound of a rifle in my hands.”
Not long after the first wall was erected at the rebels’ defenses, at least one unidentified gunman opened fire on Gennady A. Kernes, the mayor of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in eastern Ukraine, as he ran as part of his fitness regimen, municipal officials there said. He survived the attack but was in critical condition in a hospital after surgery.Not long after the first wall was erected at the rebels’ defenses, at least one unidentified gunman opened fire on Gennady A. Kernes, the mayor of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in eastern Ukraine, as he ran as part of his fitness regimen, municipal officials there said. He survived the attack but was in critical condition in a hospital after surgery.
Mr. Kernes is a canny survivor who had apparently been seeking to steer a middle course between pro-Russian militants and the authorities in Kiev, and to keep the country unified rather than be drawn deeper into Moscow’s orbit or prompting a Russian military intervention.Mr. Kernes is a canny survivor who had apparently been seeking to steer a middle course between pro-Russian militants and the authorities in Kiev, and to keep the country unified rather than be drawn deeper into Moscow’s orbit or prompting a Russian military intervention.
Diplomats from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe returned to Slovyansk on Monday to resume negotiations for the release of a European military observer team held by militants. The team members, consisting of eight European officers and led by a German colonel and five members of the Ukrainian military, were detained on Friday by gunmen at a checkpoint south of Slovyansk.Diplomats from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe returned to Slovyansk on Monday to resume negotiations for the release of a European military observer team held by militants. The team members, consisting of eight European officers and led by a German colonel and five members of the Ukrainian military, were detained on Friday by gunmen at a checkpoint south of Slovyansk.
The city’s de facto authorities have accused them of spying. The self-appointed mayor on Sunday released one member of the team, a Swedish major with diabetes, but has declined to release the others and has said he seeks a prisoner exchange. The outcome for negotiations, now in the second day, was uncertain.The city’s de facto authorities have accused them of spying. The self-appointed mayor on Sunday released one member of the team, a Swedish major with diabetes, but has declined to release the others and has said he seeks a prisoner exchange. The outcome for negotiations, now in the second day, was uncertain.
A spokeswoman for the mayor suggested that a resolution could depend on the willingness of the Ukrainian government to release pro-Russian activists in its custody. “Time will tell,” said the spokeswoman, Stella Khorosheva. “The whole world is worried about their people, and we are worried about ours.”A spokeswoman for the mayor suggested that a resolution could depend on the willingness of the Ukrainian government to release pro-Russian activists in its custody. “Time will tell,” said the spokeswoman, Stella Khorosheva. “The whole world is worried about their people, and we are worried about ours.”
The German government on Monday called for the prisoners’ immediate release. The men were being “held captive against every right and without any reason,” Steffen Seibert, a government spokesman, told reporters in Berlin. He appealed to Russia to distance itself from such acts.The German government on Monday called for the prisoners’ immediate release. The men were being “held captive against every right and without any reason,” Steffen Seibert, a government spokesman, told reporters in Berlin. He appealed to Russia to distance itself from such acts.
Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, spoke by telephone on Monday with his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, to demand that Russian leaders “set a clear signal that what has happened to the foreign O.S.C.E. observers in Slovyansk is unacceptable,” Mr. Steinmeier’s spokesman, Martin Schäfer, told reporters.Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, spoke by telephone on Monday with his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, to demand that Russian leaders “set a clear signal that what has happened to the foreign O.S.C.E. observers in Slovyansk is unacceptable,” Mr. Steinmeier’s spokesman, Martin Schäfer, told reporters.
The mayor of Slovyansk and his staff seemed unmoved. The spokeswoman gave journalists a flier detailing nine components of the independence that the rebels, who call themselves the Donetsk People’s Republic, now seek.The mayor of Slovyansk and his staff seemed unmoved. The spokeswoman gave journalists a flier detailing nine components of the independence that the rebels, who call themselves the Donetsk People’s Republic, now seek.
The list included control over local taxes and finances, official status for the Russian language and the broadcast of Russian television channels, among other points. It concluded by stating, “Enough waiting. It’s time to act!”The list included control over local taxes and finances, official status for the Russian language and the broadcast of Russian television channels, among other points. It concluded by stating, “Enough waiting. It’s time to act!”
In the regional capital of Donetsk, pro-Russian separatists violently turned on a peaceful demonstration for Ukrainian unity. The attackers, wielding baseball bats, iron rods, firecrackers and shields, left at least 10 wounded protesters in their wake.In the regional capital of Donetsk, pro-Russian separatists violently turned on a peaceful demonstration for Ukrainian unity. The attackers, wielding baseball bats, iron rods, firecrackers and shields, left at least 10 wounded protesters in their wake.
The clash occurred shortly after the pro-Ukrainians had gathered, with many waving blue and yellow Ukrainian flags and chanting, “Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes,” a rallying cry of the anti-government protests that overthrew Mr. Yanukovych in February.The clash occurred shortly after the pro-Ukrainians had gathered, with many waving blue and yellow Ukrainian flags and chanting, “Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes,” a rallying cry of the anti-government protests that overthrew Mr. Yanukovych in February.
The police displayed little resistance as the separatists broke through their lines. Later in the evening, some men returned riot shields to police officers stationed near the occupied regional administration building, suggesting a degree of police support for the violence that broke up the rally.The police displayed little resistance as the separatists broke through their lines. Later in the evening, some men returned riot shields to police officers stationed near the occupied regional administration building, suggesting a degree of police support for the violence that broke up the rally.
In Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the West should be more concerned about the buildup of Ukrainian military forces in the east of the country than with the actions of the self-defense units, a reference to the rebels and separatists who now roam freely in several cities and towns.In Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the West should be more concerned about the buildup of Ukrainian military forces in the east of the country than with the actions of the self-defense units, a reference to the rebels and separatists who now roam freely in several cities and towns.
Ukraine has deployed 11,000 troops in the area, plus 160 tanks, 230 armored personnel carriers, at least 150 artillery systems and “a large number of planes,” the statement said.Ukraine has deployed 11,000 troops in the area, plus 160 tanks, 230 armored personnel carriers, at least 150 artillery systems and “a large number of planes,” the statement said.
Military analysts have said that Ukraine has gradually been shifting its armed forces eastward both to try to address the unrest and in response to Russian military maneuvers taking place just over the border. The Ukrainian military has about 70,000 troops total.Military analysts have said that Ukraine has gradually been shifting its armed forces eastward both to try to address the unrest and in response to Russian military maneuvers taking place just over the border. The Ukrainian military has about 70,000 troops total.
The Russian Foreign Ministry made no mention of the European military observers held in Slovyansk.The Russian Foreign Ministry made no mention of the European military observers held in Slovyansk.