This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28724487
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Ukraine crisis: Army closes in on Donetsk rebels | Ukraine crisis: Army closes in on Donetsk rebels |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ukrainian government forces are poised to surround pro-Russian separatist rebels in Donetsk region, reports suggest, as fierce fighting continues. | |
The rebels' commander is quoted as saying his forces have been cut off after Krasnyi Luch, a strategic town to the east, was captured by the army. | The rebels' commander is quoted as saying his forces have been cut off after Krasnyi Luch, a strategic town to the east, was captured by the army. |
However, a rebel in Donetsk insisted there were still corridors to the east. | However, a rebel in Donetsk insisted there were still corridors to the east. |
More than 1,500 people are believed to have died in the conflict between the government and pro-Russian rebels. | More than 1,500 people are believed to have died in the conflict between the government and pro-Russian rebels. |
It began in April, when armed separatists captured key building across eastern Ukraine. | It began in April, when armed separatists captured key building across eastern Ukraine. |
The government stepped up operations to retake rebel-held areas following the election of Petro Poroshenko as president in June. | The government stepped up operations to retake rebel-held areas following the election of Petro Poroshenko as president in June. |
In the latest violence, the Ukrainian government says 13 soldiers were killed on Friday. | In the latest violence, the Ukrainian government says 13 soldiers were killed on Friday. |
A civilian was killed in Donetsk on Saturday when a shell hit a street in the city's Kirovskyy district, the city's official authorities reported. Shells also hit the Petrovskyy district, they added. | A civilian was killed in Donetsk on Saturday when a shell hit a street in the city's Kirovskyy district, the city's official authorities reported. Shells also hit the Petrovskyy district, they added. |
In other developments | In other developments |
'Completely encircled' | 'Completely encircled' |
Igor Girkin, the rebels' Russian commander who has taken the nom-de-guerre Strelkov, was quoted by Russian media as saying that Krasnyi Luch had been "captured" after Cossacks defending the town "ran away". | Igor Girkin, the rebels' Russian commander who has taken the nom-de-guerre Strelkov, was quoted by Russian media as saying that Krasnyi Luch had been "captured" after Cossacks defending the town "ran away". |
A small detachment of rebels, he said, was still holding out in the town, which connects the city of Donetsk with Ukraine's Luhansk region on the Russian border. | A small detachment of rebels, he said, was still holding out in the town, which connects the city of Donetsk with Ukraine's Luhansk region on the Russian border. |
"Novorossia's Donetsk-Horlivka group of troops is completely encircled," Strelkov reportedly added, referring to the area between Donetsk and the embattled town of Horlivka, 43km (27 miles) to the north-east. | "Novorossia's Donetsk-Horlivka group of troops is completely encircled," Strelkov reportedly added, referring to the area between Donetsk and the embattled town of Horlivka, 43km (27 miles) to the north-east. |
Ukrainian security spokesman Andriy Lysenko said he could not confirm that government forces had taken Krasnyi Luch. | Ukrainian security spokesman Andriy Lysenko said he could not confirm that government forces had taken Krasnyi Luch. |
Commenting on the news from Krasnyi Luch, Donetsk rebel official Andrei Purgin told Russia's Itar-Tass news agency there were still two corridors out of the city of one million people - through the town of Makiivka and the local power station. | Commenting on the news from Krasnyi Luch, Donetsk rebel official Andrei Purgin told Russia's Itar-Tass news agency there were still two corridors out of the city of one million people - through the town of Makiivka and the local power station. |
Meanwhile, in the city of Luhansk, second only to Donetsk in its importance to the rebels, there are fears of a humanitarian disaster. | Meanwhile, in the city of Luhansk, second only to Donetsk in its importance to the rebels, there are fears of a humanitarian disaster. |
The city council reported on its website (in Russian) on Saturday that the city of 425,000 people had been without electricity and power for a week. Mobile phones and land lines were not working, it said. | The city council reported on its website (in Russian) on Saturday that the city of 425,000 people had been without electricity and power for a week. Mobile phones and land lines were not working, it said. |
Parts of the city were still being bombarded and most shops were shut, although bakeries and some chemist's shops remained opened, it added, quoting residents. | Parts of the city were still being bombarded and most shops were shut, although bakeries and some chemist's shops remained opened, it added, quoting residents. |
Western government accuse Russia or arming the rebels, a claim the government in Moscow denies. | Western government accuse Russia or arming the rebels, a claim the government in Moscow denies. |
Are you in Donetsk? Have you witnessed fighting in the area? Please send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below. Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Donetsk' in the heading, and include your contact details. | Are you in Donetsk? Have you witnessed fighting in the area? Please send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below. Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Donetsk' in the heading, and include your contact details. |
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. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |