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Ukraine unrest: Abducted OSCE observers freed Ukraine unrest: Abducted OSCE observers freed
(35 minutes later)
Seven international military observers seized by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have been freed. Pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine say they had freed seven international military observers taken captive in the town of Sloviansk a week ago.
The observers, linked to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, were abducted in the town of Sloviansk on 25 April. The observers are linked to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Five Ukrainian officers taken with them were also freed, the reports said. The news came as Ukraine's government said it had resumed military action to tackle the separatists in the east.
The news comes as Ukraine's government resumed military action to tackle the separatists in the east, a day after deadly violence in the city of Odessa. Russia says it "no longer has any influence" over Russian speakers in Ukraine.
Western countries and Kiev have accused Moscow of being behind the unrest.
'Inexcusable''Inexcusable'
Russia's RIA news agency quoted Vladimir Lukin, an envoy sent by President Vladimir Putin to negotiate the release, as saying: "All the 12 people who have been on my list have been released." Five Ukrainian officers captured with the observers were also freed on Saturday.
Local insurgent leader Vyacheslav Ponomaryov confirmed the releases. Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, a leader of the insurgency in the east, confirmed the releases.
"As I promised them, we celebrated my birthday yesterday and they left. As I said, they were my guests," Mr Ponomaryov said."As I promised them, we celebrated my birthday yesterday and they left. As I said, they were my guests," Mr Ponomaryov said.
Associated Press news agency said that one of its reporters had seen one of the observers, German Col Axel Schneider, and his Ukrainian translator walk free. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Donetsk says there is no detail yet on how or why they were freed - a spokeswoman for the pro-Russian groups told the BBC she had no comment on that.
Russia's RIA news agency quoted Vladimir Lukin, the envoy sent by President Vladimir Putin, as saying 12 people had been freed.
But Mr Putin's spokesman in Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, said Russia can "no longer influence the people of south-east Ukraine, who feel their lives are threatened".
Western leaders had condemned the abductions.Western leaders had condemned the abductions.
On Friday, US President Barack Obama again called for the observers to be released, saying their abduction was "inexcusable" and "disgraceful".On Friday, US President Barack Obama again called for the observers to be released, saying their abduction was "inexcusable" and "disgraceful".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said earlier that the release of the seven - four Germans, a Dane, a Pole and a Czech - would be "an important step" in easing tensions in the region.German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said earlier that the release of the seven - four Germans, a Dane, a Pole and a Czech - would be "an important step" in easing tensions in the region.
The observers are not part of the main OSCE monitoring mission, which was agreed after long negotiations by Russia, Ukraine and the US.The observers are not part of the main OSCE monitoring mission, which was agreed after long negotiations by Russia, Ukraine and the US.
They are instead unarmed military observers from individual OSCE states.They are instead unarmed military observers from individual OSCE states.
Ukraine's government meanwhile confirmed a second day of military operations in the east.Ukraine's government meanwhile confirmed a second day of military operations in the east.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the "active phase of the operation continued at dawn", with Ukrainian forces taking a television tower in Kramatorsk, which is about 17km (10 miles) from the pro-Russian separatists' stronghold of Sloviansk.Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the "active phase of the operation continued at dawn", with Ukrainian forces taking a television tower in Kramatorsk, which is about 17km (10 miles) from the pro-Russian separatists' stronghold of Sloviansk.
"We are not stopping," Mr Avakov wrote on his Facebook page."We are not stopping," Mr Avakov wrote on his Facebook page.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in the regional capital, Donetsk, says that although it appears the Ukrainian forces are continuing operations around Sloviansk, they have not yet tried to advance into the centre. Our correspondent says that although it appears the Ukrainian forces are continuing operations around Sloviansk, they have not yet tried to advance into the centre.
She says she spoke to residents of the area last night and was told some in Kramatorsk had gone out to try to stop armoured personnel carriers from entering.She says she spoke to residents of the area last night and was told some in Kramatorsk had gone out to try to stop armoured personnel carriers from entering.
She says the defence ministry also reported "serious fighting" last night in Andreevka, some 6km west of Sloviansk.She says the defence ministry also reported "serious fighting" last night in Andreevka, some 6km west of Sloviansk.
The ministry said pro-Russian separatists had attacked the armed forces and two Ukrainian soldiers were killed. Pro-Russian groups confirmed this, but also said there had been civilian casualties. There is no confirmation.The ministry said pro-Russian separatists had attacked the armed forces and two Ukrainian soldiers were killed. Pro-Russian groups confirmed this, but also said there had been civilian casualties. There is no confirmation.
The operations come a day after running battles between pro-Kiev groups and separatists in Odessa, which culminated in the fire at the Trade Unions House that left at least 36 dead. The operations come a day after running battles between pro-Kiev groups and separatists in the south-western city of Odessa, which culminated in the fire at the Trade Unions House that left at least 36 dead.
Officials said some people were overwhelmed by smoke and others died after they jumped from the building.
The exact sequence of events is unclear, but reports suggest pro-Russian separatists had barricaded themselves inside the building and both sides were throwing petrol bombs.
The deaths sparked another war of words involving the West Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Danylo Lubkivsky told the BBC that Russia was behind the violence.
On Saturday, Mr Peskov said: "Kiev and its Western sponsors are practically provoking the bloodshed and bear direct responsibility for it."
Local police chief Petro Lutsiuk told Reuters news agency on Saturday that more than 130 people had been arrested following the violence in Odessa.
Are you in Odessa or eastern Ukraine? How have you been affected by the recent violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ukraine unrest'.
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