Three Pro-Russian Protesters Killed in Clash with Ukrainian Security Forces
Ukraine: In the most lethal clash in eastern Ukraine so far, three pro-Russian protesters were killed in a firefight with Ukrainian security forces as they attempted to storm a base used by the Ukrainian National Guard near the city of Mariupol. Thirteen more were wounded and 63 taken prisoner, according to the interim Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, after a crowd of 300 protesters opened fire on the bases guards and Molotov cocktails.
The pro-Russian forces have taken over administrative buildings and police stations in 10 cities in Ukraine's east. Efforts Wednesday to dislodge the separatists ended with the entire government force of 21 armored vehicles turning back or surrendering.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament had authorized him to use military force in eastern Ukraine, which he referred to as "new Russia." While he maintained that he hoped "political and diplomatic means we will be able to solve all of the sharp problems," he asserted that Russia must do everything it can to help ethnic Russians in Ukraine "protect their rights and independently determine their own destiny."
[view whole blog post
]
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
See More
Report Abuse