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Ukraine rebels regroup after losing Sloviansk Ukraine says forces retake two more rebel-held cities
(about 5 hours later)
Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine are reported to be regrouping in Donetsk after government forces retook some of their main strongholds. The Ukrainian government says its forces have retaken two more eastern cities from pro-Russian rebels.
President Petro Poroshenko said the recapture of the rebels' stronghold of Sloviansk on Saturday was of "huge symbolic importance". The website of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the national flag was raised in Artyomivsk and Druzhkivka.
But he warned it was too early for celebrations. It comes a day after government forces regained control of the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk.
Despite recent losses, the rebels still hold the regional capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk and other key areas. Meanwhile, large crowds have attended a rally in the regional capital, Donetsk, in support of the rebels.
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. Rebel fighters have re-grouped in Donetsk and are reported to have attacked the state prison guard headquarters in an attempt to seize weapons.
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. The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says Artyomivsk and Druzhkivka are not considered as strategic as Sloviansk but re-taking them indicates momentum is currently with government forces.
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". Despite their recent losses, the rebels still hold the regional capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk and other key areas.
The rebels said they had staged a "tactical retreat" to Donetsk, the main city in the region. However, senior Ukrainian security official Mykhaylo Koval said Luhansk and Donetsk would now be besieged until separatist forces there surrendered.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said some rebels had surrendered or were trying to escape by blending in with the civilian population. "There is a clear strategic plan, which has been approved. These cities will be completely blockaded," he said.
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. "These measures will result in the separatists - let us call them bandits - being forced to lay down arms."
Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, KievAnalysis: 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 timelineUkraine 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. At the rally in central Donetsk, separatist fighters were cheered by thousands of supporters waving the flags of Russia and of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
The Ukrainian government had earlier claimed to have retaken two small towns. Many called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to their aid.
And other reports said Kramatorsk city, near Sloviansk, had also been recaptured. Correspondents said armed fighters from Sloviansk could be seen walking through Donetsk on Sunday, many still wearing military camouflage.
Violence erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, when separatists declared independence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Pavel Gubarev, the self-proclaimed governor of the Donetsk People's Republic, told the crowd: "We will begin a real partisan war around the whole perimeter of Donetsk. We will drown these wretches in blood."
Earlier this week, the government claimed to have retaken two-thirds of the territory in those regions. In another development, Ukraine's prison service chief said rebels had attacked and destroyed the prison guard's headquarters in Donetsk in a bid to seize weapons. Serhiy Starenkyy told Interfax-Ukraine news agency that staff had been evacuated.
The current crisis started when President Viktor Yanukovych decided last November not to sign an agreement with the EU. President Poroshenko said the recapture of Sloviansk on Saturday was "the start of a turning point in the fight against the militants".
The decision led to street protests in Kiev, and Mr Yanukovich was eventually overthrown. But he warned it was too early for celebrations.
The rebels said they had staged a "tactical retreat" to Donetsk.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said some rebels had surrendered or were trying to escape by blending in with the civilian population.
But those who 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.
The current crisis started last November when then President Viktor Yanukovych decided not to sign an agreement with the EU.
The decision led to street protests in Kiev, and Mr Yanukovych was eventually overthrown.
The developments angered Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimea region.The developments angered Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimea region.
Violence erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, when pro-Russian separatists declared independence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of fomenting unrest, a claim strongly denied by the Kremlin.