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Ukraine conflict: Army parade to mark independence Ukraine conflict: Army parade to mark independence
(about 4 hours later)
Ukraine is to mark its independence day with a military parade in Kiev as fighting continues in the east. Ukraine is marking its independence day with a military parade in Kiev as fighting continues in the east.
The parade will feature hundreds of marching servicemen and military hardware. Critics say that it is inappropriate when Ukraine is at war.The parade will feature hundreds of marching servicemen and military hardware. Critics say that it is inappropriate when Ukraine is at war.
Pro-Russian rebels in the eastern city of Donetsk - the scene of the heaviest fighting - say they will hold their own parade featuring imprisoned soldiers. Pro-Russian rebels in the eastern city of Donetsk - the scene of the heaviest fighting - say they will hold their own parade and display captured soldiers.
Four months of fighting in the east has left more than 2,000 people dead. Four months of fighting in the east have left more than 2,000 people dead.
More than 330,000 people have fled their homes.More than 330,000 people have fled their homes.
The bodies of six civilians, including a child, were witnessed by an AFP correspondent in Donetsk on Saturday.The bodies of six civilians, including a child, were witnessed by an AFP correspondent in Donetsk on Saturday.
Morale booster?Morale booster?
The conflict continues as Ukraine marks the 23rd anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union.The conflict continues as Ukraine marks the 23rd anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union.
Events which include a parade involving military hardware and several hundred service personnel are due to start in Kiev at 10:00 local time (07:00 GMT). A naval parade will be held in the port of Odessa. On Saturday Kiev marked the Day of the National Flag. Sunday's independence events include a parade involving military hardware and several hundred service personnel.
They are the first military parades since the previous pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, abolished them in 2009. A naval parade is being held in the port of Odessa.
These are the first military parades since 2009, when the previous pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, abolished them.
A prayer will be said and wreaths laid for those who have died for an independent Ukraine, including those killed during protests against Mr Yanukovych in Kiev last winter.A prayer will be said and wreaths laid for those who have died for an independent Ukraine, including those killed during protests against Mr Yanukovych in Kiev last winter.
Supporters say the parade should boost army morale but critics have questioned any show of strength as a waste of money and inappropriate when people are dying in the east. Supporters say the parade should boost army morale, but critics say the show of strength is a waste of money and inappropriate when people are dying in the east.
Meanwhile security officials quoted by Ukrainian media said that five people accused of planning attacks on bases for pro-government volunteers in the Kiev area, timed to coincide with the celebrations, have been arrested. Meanwhile, security officials quoted by Ukrainian media said that five people accused of planning attacks on bases for pro-government volunteers in the Kiev area, timed to coincide with the celebrations, have been arrested.
In Donetsk, rebels put on display two destroyed armoured personnel carriers, and there are plans to parade prisoners of war through the streets.In Donetsk, rebels put on display two destroyed armoured personnel carriers, and there are plans to parade prisoners of war through the streets.
The events come a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged both sides in the conflict to strive for a new ceasefire.The events come a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged both sides in the conflict to strive for a new ceasefire.
During crisis talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, she also called for "effective border controls" while reiterating her support for Ukraine's pro-Western leaders.
The "territorial integrity and wellbeing of Ukraine" was essential, Mrs Merkel said.
She cautioned that Russia - already subjected to punishing EU and US sanctions over its alleged interference in Ukraine - could face further punitive measures.She cautioned that Russia - already subjected to punishing EU and US sanctions over its alleged interference in Ukraine - could face further punitive measures.
"We cannot rule out thinking about further sanctions if things do not progress," Mrs Merkel told reporters. Her visit to Kiev took place as lorries from an unauthorised Russian aid convoy which had crossed into eastern Ukraine returned to Russia.
The chancellor met Mr Poroshenko as a number of lorries from a Russian aid convoy which had crossed into eastern Ukraine returned to Russia. Western officials fear the trucks may have held military equipment to help the rebels, but Russia said they had delivered generators, food and drink.
The lorries had gone to the eastern city of Luhansk, which is held by pro-Russian separatists, despite not being authorised by Ukrainian officials or cleared for passage by the Red Cross.
Russia said they had delivered generators, food and drink.
Mrs Merkel - who on Saturday announced a 500m-euro (£400m) loan to Ukraine from Germany - is the most influential Western leader to visit Ukraine since fighting in the east broke out.
Key negotiations between President Poroshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin and EU officials are due to take place in Minsk on Tuesday.
The violence in the east erupted when pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev, after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.The violence in the east erupted when pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev, after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of arming the rebels and sending troops into eastern Ukraine - a claim denied by the Kremlin. Key negotiations between President Poroshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin and EU officials are due to take place in Minsk on Tuesday.
The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says that Moscow's unilateral decision on Friday to send in the aid convoy without Kiev's permission has raised the tensions and the stakes.
Are you in Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.