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Ukraine crisis: Rebels abandon Sloviansk stronghold Ukraine crisis: Rebels abandon Sloviansk stronghold
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine say they have evacuated their eastern stronghold of Sloviansk amid a large-scale offensive by the military. Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine have evacuated the city of Sloviansk, a crucial eastern stronghold, amid a large-scale offensive by the military.
Defence Minister Valeriy Heletey said the Ukrainian flag was flying over the city council building. Separatists said the "overwhelming numerical superiority" of the army had forced them to relocate to Kramatorsk.
Separatist leaders said fighters had relocated in the face of the army's "overwhelming numerical superiority". Troops have hoisted the Ukrainian flag over Sloviansk's council building, and officials said soldiers were mopping up the last outposts of rebel resistance.
Two smaller towns are also reported to have been retaken by government troops.
Ukrainian forces launched an offensive against the separatists this week after a 10-day ceasefire broke down.Ukrainian forces launched an offensive against the separatists this week after a 10-day ceasefire broke down.
The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says the military's capture of Sloviansk - where the eastern insurgency began in April - is a major victory for the government.The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says the military's capture of Sloviansk - where the eastern insurgency began in April - is a major victory for the government.
'Surrendering' No will to fight
Sloviansk's rebel-backed mayor, Vladimir Pavlenko, confirmed to Agence France-Presse news agency that the separatists had left. Both government officials and rebel leaders confirmed that the separatists had left Sloviansk.
Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said on a rebel website: "Due to the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy our men were forced to abandon their positions."Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said on a rebel website: "Due to the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy our men were forced to abandon their positions."
The Associated Press quoted rebel spokesman, Andrei Purgin, as saying the army offensive had left the town "in ruins". Rebels were quoted as saying they had pulled back to the nearby city of Kramatorsk.
Another rebel commander told AP the fighters were moving to the town of Kramatorsk. But witnesses reported seeing dozens of rebels abandoning checkpoints in Kramatorsk, apparently heading for the main city of Donetsk.
Witnesses said there was bombing overnight in Sloviansk and in the morning the rebel-manned checkpoints had been abandoned. Rebel leaders were quoted as saying the decision to abandon Sloviansk was taken by Igor Strelkov, the military commander of the self-declared Donetsk Peoples' Republic (DPR).
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov earlier said on Facebook that the rebels were "suffering losses and surrendering" after leaving Sloviansk and being met by Ukrainian forces. Mr Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, had pleaded for Russian intervention on Friday saying his men had lost the will to fight.
Mr Avakov said "some intelligence suggests" that the military commander of the self-declared Donetsk Peoples' Republic (DPR), Igor Strelkov, was among those leaving.
The commander, whose real name is Igor Girkin, is accused by Ukraine's government and the European Union of being a Russian military intelligence officer.
Who is Igor Strelkov?Who is Igor Strelkov?
Mr Poroshenko's website said the separatists had lost one tank and four armoured vehicles as they left.
However, one rebel leader, Pavel Gubarev, said the losses suffered were "minimal".
In a separate development, Russian news agency Interfax reported that Ukrainian forces had destroyed the headquarters of the DPR in the town of Artemivsk.
Diplomatic moves
There has been intense diplomatic activity this week to try to reinstate the ceasefire, with telephone calls involving Germany, France, the US, Russia and Ukraine.There has been intense diplomatic activity this week to try to reinstate the ceasefire, with telephone calls involving Germany, France, the US, Russia and Ukraine.
Mr Poroshenko said he was ready to return to a ceasefire provided it was observed by both sides, all hostages were freed and borders secured by government forces. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was ready to return to a ceasefire provided it was observed by both sides, all hostages were freed and borders secured by government forces.
Our correspondent in Kiev says talks to try to end the fighting were supposed to begin on Saturday, but so far no meeting has been announced.Our correspondent in Kiev says talks to try to end the fighting were supposed to begin on Saturday, but so far no meeting has been announced.
Human cost of conflictHuman cost of conflict
At least 250 civilians killed in eastern Ukraine since April, according to Ukrainian and rebel reportsAt least 250 civilians killed in eastern Ukraine since April, according to Ukrainian and rebel reports
Nearly 200 soldiers killed and 619 wounded since April, according to Ukrainian defence ministryNearly 200 soldiers killed and 619 wounded since April, according to Ukrainian defence ministry
At least 800 rebels killed since April, according to rebelsAt least 800 rebels killed since April, according to rebels
At least 110,000 people have left Ukraine for Russia this year to date, most of them from eastern regions, according to the UNAt least 110,000 people have left Ukraine for Russia this year to date, most of them from eastern regions, according to the UN
Some 54,400 people have been displaced within Ukraine itself, the UN saysSome 54,400 people have been displaced within Ukraine itself, the UN says
Mr Poroshenko called off a unilateral truce on 30 June, accusing the rebels of staging deadly attacks on Ukrainian government troops.Mr Poroshenko called off a unilateral truce on 30 June, accusing the rebels of staging deadly attacks on Ukrainian government troops.
Violence erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, when the separatists declared independence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Violence erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, when separatists declared independence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
That followed Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.That followed Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
The current Ukraine crisis started last November, when then President Viktor Yanukovych decided, under pressure from Russia, not to sign an agreement with the EU, leading to street protests in Kiev and his eventual overthrow.The current Ukraine crisis started last November, when then President Viktor Yanukovych decided, under pressure from Russia, not to sign an agreement with the EU, leading to street protests in Kiev and his eventual overthrow.
President Poroshenko signed the free trade part of the EU deal in Brussels on 27 June, after earlier signing the political co-operation clauses.President Poroshenko signed the free trade part of the EU deal in Brussels on 27 June, after earlier signing the political co-operation clauses.
Are you in the area? Do you have any information you wish to share? Send us your comments. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ukraine'.Are you in the area? Do you have any information you wish to share? Send us your comments. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ukraine'.
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