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Ukraine crisis: Separatists deny fleeing Sloviansk base Ukraine crisis: Army 'enters rebel base of Sloviansk'
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have denied reports they have fled their stronghold of Sloviansk. Ukrainian forces have entered the pro-Russian separatist stronghold of Sloviansk in the east.
Ukraine's interior minister said a large number of rebels had left but admitted other fighters remained. President Poroshenko has ordered the military to hoist the Ukrainian flag over the city council building.
The extent of Ukrainian forces' control over the town remains unclear, but some reports quoted separatists as saying they were evacuating.
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.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said he is ready to return to a ceasefire but there has been no confirmation of any new talks. 'Surrendering'
Convoy Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Facebook that a large number of insurgents had left Sloviansk.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Facebook that a large number of insurgents had left Sloviansk but that other fighters were still in the town. He said the rebels were "suffering losses and surrendering" after being met by Ukrainian forces.
Mr Poroshenko has ordered the military to hoist the Ukrainian flag over the city council building, a statement from the presidency says.
Mr Avakov said "some intelligence suggests" that the military commander of the self-declared Donetsk Peoples' Republic (DPR), Igor Strelkov, was among those leaving, but this has not been confirmed.Mr Avakov said "some intelligence suggests" that the military commander of the self-declared Donetsk Peoples' Republic (DPR), Igor Strelkov, was among those leaving, but this has not been confirmed.
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.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.
A spokesman for the DPR denied the separatists had left the town. Mr Poroshenko's website said he had given the order "for the state flag to be raised on Sloviansk's town council offices".
Ukrainian military spokesperson Alexei Dmitroshkovskiy also told the BBC the town was still in rebel hands. It said the separatists had lost one tank and four armoured vehicles as they left town.
However, the chief of Ukraine's general staff told President Poroshenko that a group of militants had tried to break out of Sloviansk and had come under mortar fire from the armed forces, a presidential statement said. Associated Press quoted Andrei Purgin, a spokesman for the separatists' self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, as saying the rebels were evacuating.
It quoted a rebel commander as saying they were moving to the town of Kramatorsk.
The Ukrainian Ostrov website quoted hostages who said they had managed to free themselves from detention in Sloviansk's main police station. They also reported that separatists had left towards Kramatorsk.The Ukrainian Ostrov website quoted hostages who said they had managed to free themselves from detention in Sloviansk's main police station. They also reported that separatists had left towards Kramatorsk.
In a separate development, Russian news agency Interfax reported that Ukrainian forces had destroyed the headquarters of the DPR in the town of Artemivsk.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 movesDiplomatic 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.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 officials said on Friday they had proposed indirect talks with rebel leaders but were still waiting for a response. The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says talks to try to end the fighting were supposed to begin on Saturday, but so far no meeting has been announced.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was urged to use his influence to put pressure on the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Russian President Vladimir Putin had been urged to use his influence to put pressure on the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Mr Putin in turn said he was "deeply concerned about the rise in deaths among the civilian population and sharp increase in refugees" entering Russia from south-eastern Ukraine.Mr Putin in turn said he was "deeply concerned about the rise in deaths among the civilian population and sharp increase in refugees" entering Russia from south-eastern Ukraine.
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 the 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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