Ukraine's Slavyansk under mortar attack: refugees, children unable to leave town - local self-defense HQ
29 May 2014, 16:27 -- Howitzers and mortars are being fired at Slavyansk on Thursday afternoon; however, refugees who tried to flee in their cars and buses have been told to go back, the local self-defense headquarters said. 'At this moment, the town is under fierce howitzer and mortar firing, no air strikes have so far been carried out by the Ukrainian army. But cars and buses are being turned back at checkpoints of the Ukrainian army who would not let civilians out of the town,' the headquarters said.
The militia also said that a bus, which was carrying children being evacuated from Slavyansk, was turned back in the opposite direction after waiting at a checkpoint for five hours.
Two Ukrainian military helicopters shot down near Slavyansk, 14 servicemen including general killed
Two Ukrainian military helicopter was shot down by self-defence forces of Slavyansk, an eastern Ukrainian city where fierce fighting between Kiev regime loyalists and federalists continues, eyewitnesses told RIA Novosti. Two helicopters attacked federalist forces and were downed when they returned fire, presumably using an anti-aircraft machine gun, witnesses said. A total of 14 Ukrainian servicemen, including a general, were killed when second helicopter was downed.
Two helicopters attacked federalist forces and were downed when they returned fire, presumably using an anti-aircraft machine gun, witnesses said. Fighting continues in the area.
The news coincided with Ukraine's news agency UNIAN report that the active phase of the military operation in Slaviansk and Kramatorsk has been put on hold.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the military operation in southeastern Ukraine, Vladislav Seleznyov, has described military operation in Slavyansk as 'routine'.
When asked by Interfax how many people may have been killed or injured in the city of Slavyansk last night, Seleznyov said that he has 'no information as far as casualties are concerned.'
'The situation was relatively quiet last night,' he added.
Online reports appeared on Thursday morning claiming that a large-scale military operation involving artillery weapons, combat aircraft and Grad multiple rocket systems had been launched in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Ukrainian military helicopter shot down near Slavyansk - witnesses
Ukrainian military helicopter was shot down by self-defence forces of Slavyansk where large-scale military operation involving artillery weapons and combat aircraft is underway, witnesses told to RIA Novosti news agency.
According to them, helicopter crashed near the village Chervonny Molochar. Details of the incident are unknown yet.
Large-scale military operation involving artillery weapons underway in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk - media
A large-scale military operation involving artillery weapons and combat aircraft has been launched in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, Donetsk's OstroV news website reported on Thursday, citing its sources and eyewitnesses. 'A large-scale 'anti-terrorist' operation has begun in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Airstrikes are being carried out against the militants' fire positions. Grad multiple rocket launchers are being used,' OstroV said, referring to one of its sources.
According to OstroV, people write on the Free Slovyansk Twitter account:
'They say that people are not being allowed to leave Cherevkovka, where an offensive is underway using helicopters and airplanes. Explosions and gunfire can be heard near the railway. They say weapons have been positioned on the premises of the 66th and 70th kindergartens.'
People have also said on social networking websites that there have been disruptions to mobile phone services in the area due to a traffic overload problem on the cellular network.
Ukrainian security forces fired shells on militia in Lugansk region
In the town of Rubizhne (Lugansk region) the security forces of the Kiev authorities have committed an artillery attack on the militia, militiamen reported to Interfax on Wednesday.
An interlocutor of the Agency noted that salvos and shots were heard in the city. He stressed it were the militiamen guarding the city at checkpoints that were bombarded.
On Tuesday, the Ukrainian law-enforcers seized the Donetsk airport, previously captured by the militia. According to the Interior Ministry of Ukraine, the attacking side has not suffered losses. The Donetsk mayor informed about 40 dead.
Ukraine's National Guard used shell bullets, firing the town Rubezhnoye, Lugansk region, the local self-defense told RIA.
'Apparently, the National Guard doesn't know that shell bullets are banned by international convention,' he added.
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