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Ukraine rebels regroup after losing Sloviansk | Ukraine rebels regroup after losing Sloviansk |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine are reported to be regrouping in Donetsk after government forces retook some of their main strongholds. | Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine are reported to be regrouping in Donetsk after government forces retook some of their main strongholds. |
President Petro Poroshenko said the recapture of the rebels' stronghold of Sloviansk on Saturday was of "huge symbolic importance". | President Petro Poroshenko said the recapture of the rebels' stronghold of Sloviansk on Saturday was of "huge symbolic importance". |
But he warned it was too early for celebrations. | But he warned it was too early for celebrations. |
Despite recent losses, the rebels still hold the regional capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk and other key areas. | Despite recent losses, the rebels still hold the regional capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk and other key areas. |
Sloviansk had been considered a focal point of the rebellion, and was the military centre of the self-declared separatist People's Republic of Donetsk. | Sloviansk had been considered a focal point of the rebellion, and was the military centre of the self-declared separatist People's Republic of Donetsk. |
But on Saturday, following a night of mortar shelling, rebels left the city in a move apparently orchestrated by the breakaway region's military commander, Igor Strelkov. | |
President Poroshenko said troops had "liberated Sloviansk from terrorists", and that it was "the start of a turning point in the fight against the militants". | President Poroshenko said troops had "liberated Sloviansk from terrorists", and that it was "the start of a turning point in the fight against the militants". |
The rebels said they had staged a "tactical retreat" to Donetsk, the main city in the region. | The rebels said they had staged a "tactical retreat" to Donetsk, the main city in the region. |
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said some rebels had surrendered or were trying to escape by blending in with the civilian population. | Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said some rebels had surrendered or were trying to escape by blending in with the civilian population. |
But those that remained appeared to be heading next for the town of Horlivka, he said on his Facebook page, and were being confronted on the road by government troops. | But those that remained appeared to be heading next for the town of Horlivka, he said on his Facebook page, and were being confronted on the road by government troops. |
Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, Kiev | Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, Kiev |
On Saturday morning, the insurgents abruptly abandoned two of their main bases of operations, cities which they triumphantly overran three months ago and have maintained as a symbol of their dominance in Ukraine's east. | On Saturday morning, the insurgents abruptly abandoned two of their main bases of operations, cities which they triumphantly overran three months ago and have maintained as a symbol of their dominance in Ukraine's east. |
The question that no-one can answer right now, however, is whether this in fact constitutes a turning point in the conflict. | The question that no-one can answer right now, however, is whether this in fact constitutes a turning point in the conflict. |
The rebels still seem to have large numbers in their ranks, and significant stores of weapons and military hardware. They continue to control a decent amount of territory in the east, though this apparently has been circumscribed somewhat in recent days. | The rebels still seem to have large numbers in their ranks, and significant stores of weapons and military hardware. They continue to control a decent amount of territory in the east, though this apparently has been circumscribed somewhat in recent days. |
They say they are motivated and will fight to the last man. | They say they are motivated and will fight to the last man. |
Nevertheless, there are indications that the fall of Sloviansk may indeed have been a watershed moment. | Nevertheless, there are indications that the fall of Sloviansk may indeed have been a watershed moment. |
Sloviansk: Turning point for Ukraine? | Sloviansk: Turning point for Ukraine? |
Ukraine crisis timeline | Ukraine crisis timeline |
Sloviansk is the latest of several territorial gains for the government since it launched an offensive this week in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, following the breakdown of a ceasefire. | Sloviansk is the latest of several territorial gains for the government since it launched an offensive this week in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, following the breakdown of a ceasefire. |
The Ukrainian government had earlier claimed to have retaken two small towns. | The Ukrainian government had earlier claimed to have retaken two small towns. |
And other reports said Kramatorsk city, near Sloviansk, had also been recaptured. | And other reports said Kramatorsk city, near Sloviansk, had also been recaptured. |
Violence erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, when 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. |
Earlier this week, the government claimed to have retaken two-thirds of the territory in those regions. | Earlier this week, the government claimed to have retaken two-thirds of the territory in those regions. |
The current crisis started when President Viktor Yanukovych decided last November not to sign an agreement with the EU. | The current crisis started when President Viktor Yanukovych decided last November not to sign an agreement with the EU. |
The decision led to street protests in Kiev, and Mr Yanukovich was eventually overthrown. | The decision led to street protests in Kiev, and Mr Yanukovich was eventually overthrown. |
The developments angered Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimea region. | The developments angered Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimea region. |