Two dead as Ukraine attempts to regain control in Slaviansk
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
02.05.2014 13:10
UPDATED - Two military helicopters were shot down and at least two killed as Ukrainian forces try to regain control of the town of Slaviansk, Friday, from pro-Russian groups.
Ukrainian soldiers stay near of a checkpoint seized by them not far of Slaviansk, Ukraine, 02 May: photo - EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY
Ukraine's defence ministry confirmed that two crew members were killed and an unspecified number of soldiers were injured after separatists shot down two Mi-24 assault helicopters with surface-to-air missiles.
Earlier, Russia's Interfax news agency reports two helicopters had been shot down and one pilot detained with another killed as Ukraine launches its first significant military intervention in the town in eastern Ukraine, which has been under the control of pro-Russian groups for weeks.
Meanwhile, separatists stormed the prosecutor's office in the city of Donetsk on Thursday, throwing rocks, firecrackers and teargas at Ukrainian riot police.
An Ukranian policeman surrenders as Pro-Russian protesters attack the regional prosecutor's office, after the May Day rally turned violent in Donetsk, Ukraine, 01 May 2014. Hundreds of pro-Russian militants have seized the regional prosecutor's office in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, and there are reports of about 15 injured people. EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO
The self-declared "People's Republic of Donetsk" have said they will hold a referendum on 11 May in the region, comprising of around 4 million people, on whether to leave Ukraine and join the Russian Federation. (pg)