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Ukraine crisis: Government forces 'move on Sloviansk' Ukraine crisis: Government forces 'move on Sloviansk'
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainian government forces are reported to have launched a military operation in the city of Sloviansk. Ukrainian government forces are reported to have launched an operation in the city of Sloviansk.
The city is a stronghold for pro-Russian separatists who are exerting increasing control over the eastern regions of the country. The city is a stronghold for pro-Russian separatists who are exerting increasing control in eastern Ukraine.
Separatists in the city and Russian television channels are reporting that the city is being stormed. News agencies report gunfire, explosions and a military helicopter firing on the outskirts of the city.
A Reuters photographer has reported hearing gunfire and seeing a helicopter firing on the outskirts of the city. But the BBC's Sarah Rainsford has spoken to separatists at checkpoints near the city who say there is no fighting in their sectors.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, in eastern Ukraine, has spoken to Russian separatists who says fighting is taking place at checkpoints on the outskirts of the city. Russian television channels are saying that the city is being "stormed".
Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov reinstated military conscription to deal with deteriorating security in the east of the country.Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov reinstated military conscription to deal with deteriorating security in the east of the country.
The move, announced in a decree, came as pro-Russia militants seized the regional prosecutor's office in the city of Donetsk, an industrial hub where a number of government offices have been seized in recent weeks.The move, announced in a decree, came as pro-Russia militants seized the regional prosecutor's office in the city of Donetsk, an industrial hub where a number of government offices have been seized in recent weeks.
They forced their way into the building, stripped weapons and shields from police officers and raised the flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.They forced their way into the building, stripped weapons and shields from police officers and raised the flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
Ukraine blames Russia for organising the seizures of a number of offices in the east, a claim Moscow denies.Ukraine blames Russia for organising the seizures of a number of offices in the east, a claim Moscow denies.
Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed near the Ukrainian border.Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed near the Ukrainian border.
Mr Turchynov said on Wednesday that his forces were "helpless" to quell the unrest in some parts of the east, saying the goal was now to prevent it from spreading.Mr Turchynov said on Wednesday that his forces were "helpless" to quell the unrest in some parts of the east, saying the goal was now to prevent it from spreading.
He also said Ukraine was on "full combat alert" amid fears that Russian troops could invade.He also said Ukraine was on "full combat alert" amid fears that Russian troops could invade.
Monitors heldMonitors held
Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and was a stronghold for President Viktor Yanukovych before he was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and was a stronghold for President Viktor Yanukovych before he was overthrown by pro-Western protesters in February.
Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine but with a Russian-speaking majority - in a move that provoked international outrage.Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine but with a Russian-speaking majority - in a move that provoked international outrage.
The crisis has plunged East-West relations to their lowest point since the Cold War.The crisis has plunged East-West relations to their lowest point since the Cold War.
On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Russia in a phone call to President Vladimir Putin to help free foreign monitors held in eastern Ukraine.On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Russia in a phone call to President Vladimir Putin to help free foreign monitors held in eastern Ukraine.
The military observers were seized by pro-Russia separatists at a checkpoint in the flashpoint town of Sloviansk last Friday.The military observers were seized by pro-Russia separatists at a checkpoint in the flashpoint town of Sloviansk last Friday.
For his part, Mr Putin reiterated his call for Kiev to withdraw troops from the south-east to open the way for a national dialogue.For his part, Mr Putin reiterated his call for Kiev to withdraw troops from the south-east to open the way for a national dialogue.
Mrs Merkel is due to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington on Friday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.Mrs Merkel is due to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington on Friday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.
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