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| Ukraine crisis: Fears grow over Sloviansk offensive | Ukraine crisis: Fears grow over Sloviansk offensive |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces are growing in the pro-Russian stronghold of Sloviansk, sources inside the city say. | Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces are growing in the pro-Russian stronghold of Sloviansk, sources inside the city say. |
| Ukraine's army cut off the main road into the city on Sunday, squeezing its hold on rebel fighters. | Ukraine's army cut off the main road into the city on Sunday, squeezing its hold on rebel fighters. |
| A reporter inside Sloviansk told the BBC that residents expect the city to be stormed. | A reporter inside Sloviansk told the BBC that residents expect the city to be stormed. |
| Last week, rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters on the outskirts of Sloviansk. | Last week, rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters on the outskirts of Sloviansk. |
| Harriet Salem, a freelance journalist in Sloviansk, said there is strong support for the pro-Russian fighters in the city. | Harriet Salem, a freelance journalist in Sloviansk, said there is strong support for the pro-Russian fighters in the city. |
| But she added that residents are increasingly anxious that troops sent by Kiev will try to retake the city centre. | But she added that residents are increasingly anxious that troops sent by Kiev will try to retake the city centre. |
| Ukrainian troops are currently carrying out what the Kiev government calls "anti-terror" operations in the east to wrest control of government buildings from pro-Russia separatists. | |
| Speaking two days after dozens were killed in violence in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood." | |
| Several thousand supporters of a united Ukraine, some of them masked and carrying sticks, rallied in Odessa late on Sunday before marching to the regional police headquarters. | Several thousand supporters of a united Ukraine, some of them masked and carrying sticks, rallied in Odessa late on Sunday before marching to the regional police headquarters. |
| They sang the national anthem as they marched to the trade union building to re-deploy the Ukrainian flag that had been burned by pro-Russians on Saturday. | They sang the national anthem as they marched to the trade union building to re-deploy the Ukrainian flag that had been burned by pro-Russians on Saturday. |
| More than 60 people arrested over Friday's violence in Odessa were freed by police on Sunday after protesters attacked the main police station in the city. | More than 60 people arrested over Friday's violence in Odessa were freed by police on Sunday after protesters attacked the main police station in the city. |
| Several hundred pro-Russian protesters besieged the police headquarters, breaking through windows and doors. | Several hundred pro-Russian protesters besieged the police headquarters, breaking through windows and doors. |
| The clashes on Friday left more than 40 dead, mostly pro-Russian separatists killed in a building fire. | The clashes on Friday left more than 40 dead, mostly pro-Russian separatists killed in a building fire. |
| Prime Minister Yatsenyuk accused police of failing to prevent Friday's unrest and accused Russia for instigating the violence. | Prime Minister Yatsenyuk accused police of failing to prevent Friday's unrest and accused Russia for instigating the violence. |
| "Russia's aim was to repeat in Odessa what is happening in the east of the country," he said. | "Russia's aim was to repeat in Odessa what is happening in the east of the country," he said. |
| Mr Yatsenyuk insisted Kiev had not lost control of the region entirely and said much would depend on whether local populations "support peace and stability or whether they support those who are sponsored by Russian". | Mr Yatsenyuk insisted Kiev had not lost control of the region entirely and said much would depend on whether local populations "support peace and stability or whether they support those who are sponsored by Russian". |
| Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych 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. | |
| Separatist actions subsequently spread to eastern Ukraine, where Moscow is accused of backing pro-Russians who have seized official buildings in a dozen or more cities. | |
| Despite the latest violence, the country plans to hold a presidential election on 25 May. | |
| Are you in Sloviansk? You can share your photos, views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Sloviansk' in the subject heading. | Are you in Sloviansk? You can share your photos, views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Sloviansk' in the subject heading. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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