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Dozens dead in Odessa as Ukraine conflict intensifies

PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle 03.05.2014 08:52
Ukraine's interim government has said it will continue its "anti-terrorist" military campaign in eastern Ukraine despite dozens being killed on Friday in Donetsk and Odessa.

Pro-Russian
Pro-Russian protesters try to escape from the smoke-filled Trade Union building during clashes in the South-Ukrainian city of Odessa, Ukraine, 02 May: photo - EPA/SERGEY GUMENYUK

Local police said 37 people died when a trade union building pro-Russian supporters were occupying in Odessa was set on fire, and three were shot dead with dozens wounded during street protests, as the conflict in eastern Ukraine spread to the southern city on the Black Sea coast.

Earlier on Friday, separatists shot down two Ukrainian military helicopters near Slaviansk, killing two pilots.

Three pro-Russian supporters were also killed in Slaviansk, as Ukraine troops tried to re-take control of the town.

Young
Young girls, supporters of a 'Single Ukraine' prepare Molotov cocktails as they clash with pro-Russian protesters in downtown of South-Ukrainian city of Odessa, Ukraine, 02 May: photo - EPA/SERGEY GUMENYUK

Ukrainian interior minister Arsen Akakov said in a statement on his Facebook page that the military operations would continue Saturday, however.

"We are not stopping," he says.

Ukrainian
Ukrainian forces outside eastern city of Sloviansk early on 02 May. The Ukraininan Defence Ministry said 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. A third, Mi-8 transport helicopter, was hit by bullets but escaped unharmed, the ministry said: photo - EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

A spokesman for President Putin condemned the Ukrainian action, claiming it was a "punitive operation" that has "destroyed the international peace plan" agreed between Russia, the US, EU and Ukraine in April.

US president Barack Obama and German chancellor Angela Merkel - who is in Washington for talks - warned Moscow on Friday that further sanctions will be imposed on Russia if it disrupts the run up to the 25 May elections in Ukraine. (pg)

source: Reuters

tags: Ukraine
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