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| Ukraine crisis: 'Eight killed' in ambush in east | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Seven Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in an ambush in the eastern Donetsk region, reports say. | |
| A unit was attacked near the town of Kramatorsk by about 30 heavily-armed rebels, the defence ministry said. One rebel is also said to have died. | |
| Correspondents say this is the most serious loss of life for the government in its operation against separatists. | Correspondents say this is the most serious loss of life for the government in its operation against separatists. |
| Donetsk is one of two regions declared separate from Ukraine after referendums deemed illegal by Kiev, the US and EU. | |
| The defence ministry said an armoured personnel carrier carrying paratroopers was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and exploded. | The defence ministry said an armoured personnel carrier carrying paratroopers was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and exploded. |
| More soldiers were killed or injured in a firefight which ensued with the insurgents, who were said to be hiding in bushes. Eight were wounded in all. | |
| On Monday, the pro-Russian separatists who declared independence in Donetsk said that all Ukrainian troops in the region would be viewed as occupying forces and should leave. | On Monday, the pro-Russian separatists who declared independence in Donetsk said that all Ukrainian troops in the region would be viewed as occupying forces and should leave. |
| Their leader Denis Pushilin called on Russia to "absorb" Donetsk region. | |
| Meanwhile in the neighbouring Luhansk region, separatists said an attempt was made on the life of a rebel leader. | Meanwhile in the neighbouring Luhansk region, separatists said an attempt was made on the life of a rebel leader. |
| Self-declared governor Valery Bolotov was shot and had lost a lot of blood, but his life was not in danger, the press office of the "Luhansk People's Republic" said. | Self-declared governor Valery Bolotov was shot and had lost a lot of blood, but his life was not in danger, the press office of the "Luhansk People's Republic" said. |
| 'Crucial' | 'Crucial' |
| Earlier the Kiev-appointed governor of Donetsk region said Ukraine was planning a national referendum on devolving power to regions. | Earlier the Kiev-appointed governor of Donetsk region said Ukraine was planning a national referendum on devolving power to regions. |
| Speaking at a news conference in Donetsk, Mr Taruta called on parliament to pass legislation which would authorise a vote to help regions get more power while remaining within Ukraine. | Speaking at a news conference in Donetsk, Mr Taruta called on parliament to pass legislation which would authorise a vote to help regions get more power while remaining within Ukraine. |
| Mr Taruta also described Sunday's separatist referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk as "an opinion poll". | Mr Taruta also described Sunday's separatist referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk as "an opinion poll". |
| He said the self-declared "People's Republic of Donetsk" did not exist legally or politically, and that the Donetsk region could not survive economically as an independent territory. | He said the self-declared "People's Republic of Donetsk" did not exist legally or politically, and that the Donetsk region could not survive economically as an independent territory. |
| People in the east "should hear answers to the questions that they are concerned about", he said. | People in the east "should hear answers to the questions that they are concerned about", he said. |
| On a visit to Kiev, Germany's foreign minister urged talks between government and rebels. | On a visit to Kiev, Germany's foreign minister urged talks between government and rebels. |
| Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed support for a national round table which the government is planning to hold on Wednesday. | Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed support for a national round table which the government is planning to hold on Wednesday. |
| Ukrainian officials say the meeting will include politicians and civic leaders from the country's east, but armed separatists have already refused to negotiate. | Ukrainian officials say the meeting will include politicians and civic leaders from the country's east, but armed separatists have already refused to negotiate. |
| Mr Steinmeier also backed Ukraine's 25 May presidential vote, which he said would be "crucial" in bringing the country out of its crisis. | Mr Steinmeier also backed Ukraine's 25 May presidential vote, which he said would be "crucial" in bringing the country out of its crisis. |
| Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule" in the referendums. | Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule" in the referendums. |
| Armed rebels remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine. | Armed rebels remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine. |
| Meanwhile, Russian gas company Gazprom has asked Ukraine to pay $1.66bn (£1bn) for gas deliveries in June. | Meanwhile, Russian gas company Gazprom has asked Ukraine to pay $1.66bn (£1bn) for gas deliveries in June. |
| Gazprom says Ukraine owes it $3.5bn. It recently doubled the price Ukraine must pay for gas - a move that Kiev has refused to accept. | Gazprom says Ukraine owes it $3.5bn. It recently doubled the price Ukraine must pay for gas - a move that Kiev has refused to accept. |
| But Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Russia should stop using gas as "a new type of weapon". | But Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Russia should stop using gas as "a new type of weapon". |
| He also accused Moscow of seizing Ukrainian property including oil and gas during the annexation of Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum. | He also accused Moscow of seizing Ukrainian property including oil and gas during the annexation of Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum. |
| Mr Yatsenyuk was speaking in Brussels after signing a deal for 1bn euros in EU aid. | Mr Yatsenyuk was speaking in Brussels after signing a deal for 1bn euros in EU aid. |
| The Ukrainian government fears a similar outcome to the annexation of Crimea in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of the south. | The Ukrainian government fears a similar outcome to the annexation of Crimea in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of the south. |
| Nato believes some 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near Ukraine's border, although Moscow says they have been pulled back. | Nato believes some 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near Ukraine's border, although Moscow says they have been pulled back. |
| Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the presidential election on 25 May? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? You can send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine". | Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the presidential election on 25 May? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? You can send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine". |
| 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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