Ukraine launched a military operation Friday to regain control of the pro-Russian separatist stronghold of Slovyansk, overrunning numerous roadblocks and surrounding the city, officials said, but meeting stiff resistance from militants who managed to shoot down at least one helicopter. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman accused Ukraine of ordering aircraft to fire on civilian towns and said the operation "effectively destroys" an international agreement reached in Geneva meant to calm eastern Ukraine. Officials in the West have already said the agreement was effectively dead, blaming Russia for not making any effort to rein in the separatists.
Militant fighters fought back against the advancing Ukrainian units with heavy weaponry, including grenade launchers and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said. Mr. Avakov said the operation would proceed cautiously as to avoid civilian casualties, although as the morning progressed, there was little evidence of a push into the city center.
Separatist leaders claimed to have shot down four Ukrainian helicopters in the clash, Russian state media reported, but Ukraine's defense ministry said two helicopters had been shot down and that two soldiers were killed and several more wounded. Ukraine's state security service confirmed only one Mi-24 chopper was taken down, with one pilot killed and the other taken captive.
TAGS:
Ukrainian,Ukraine Protest,Ukraine Crisis,Ukraine Ex-Leader,
Ukraine crisis: NATO chief Rasmussen says no Russian troop withdrawal seen
Ukraine Crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout - Nato
Ukraine Crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout
Ukraine crisis: Putin 'orders partial withdrawal'
Ukraine crisis: Nato sees 'no sign of Russian troop WITHDRAWAL
Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin orders 'partial withdrawal'
Ukraine crisis: Putin orders 'partial' troop pullout
Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout
'No sign of Russian troop pullout
Russia vows no Ukraine invasion as leaders seek solution
Ukraine crisis: NATO chief says no Russian troop
Ukraine crisis: Russia 'withdrawing troops from border
Russia announces withdrawal of a battalion from Ukrainian
Crimea crisis: Ukrainian troops pull out
Crimea: EU's actions have 'provoked Russia
The Ukrainian Crisis Timeline
'No sign' of Russian troop pullout | USA TOP NEWS
Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout
UPDATE 5-Russian prime minister angers Ukraine
Ukraine crisis: No sign of Russian troop pullout
Ukraine crisis: US troops land in Poland for exercises
US troops arrive in Poland for exercises across
Russia's Sergey Lavrov: U.S. 'running the show' in Kiev
U.S. troops arrive in Poland for exercises amid Ukraine
Ukraine crisis: UK RAF fighter jets scrambled to investigate
Europe - US soldiers arrive in Poland as Ukraine crisis
US troops arrive in Poland for exercises across Eastern
US Troops Arrive in Poland for Exercises Across Eastern
Ukraine crisis: US troops arrive in Poland
Ukraine crisis: US troops land in Poland for exercises
First American troops land in Poland for exercises
Ukraine Crisis US Troops Land In Poland: Amid Tensions
US troops arrive in Poland amid Ukraine crisis
US troops land in Poland for exercises
US Paratroopers in Poland for Joint Exercises
First US troops land in Poland
Ukraine crisis: G7 'to intensify Russia sanctions'
G7 'to intensify Russia sanctions'
Ukraine crisis: G7 agree new sanctions on Russia
Swift, new sanctions to be imposed on Russia
G7 leaders agree to swift new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine Crisis
G7 agrees to impose new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine crisis
Ukraine crisis: G7 imposes more sanctions on Russia
Ukraine Crisis: G7 Leaders Agree On New Russia
Ukraine PM Yatsenyuk accuses Russia of wanting war
G7 promises to 'move swiftly' with sanctions against Russia
G7 to 'move swiftly' on more Russia sanctions
G7 leaders to impose further sanctions on Russia
West to impose more sanctions on Russia
Russia to face new sanctions over Ukraine crisis by G7 powers
Ukraine crisis: G7 summit to discuss action against Russia
Ukraine crisis: G7 commits to Russia sanctions
Ukraine crisis: Pentagon says Russian jets violated airspace
Russia's Role in Ukraine
G7 leaders agree to impose new sanctions
G7 agrees new Russia sanctions over Ukraine
Ukraine Launches Offensive to Regain Slovyansk
Ukraine Launches Large-Scale Offensive to Regain Slovyansk
Ukraine launches offensive to retake Slaviansk .
Ukraine Launches Offensive to Regain Slovyansk
Теги
Breaking News Latest News CNN BBC NDTV Headlines Times Now DiscoveryBreaking NewsLatest NewsTodays NewsUpcoming NewsUSA TodayLatest USA NewsNY NewsNew York Breaking NewsNewsTodays HeadlinesHealinesToday HeadlineWorld NewsLatest World NewsWorld Breaking NewsAfrica Latest NewsAfrica Breaking NewsAfricaFlood NewsSnow in USAAbcNbcBbcFoxFox NewsMediaDailyFox News Channel (TV Network)Bbc NewsMsnbc