Ukraine launches ‘anti-terrorist operation’ against separatists

MOSCOW -- Ukrainian forces launched an “anti-terrorist operation” in the city of Slavyansk on Sunday morning after pro-Russian separatists seized buildings in the eastern area of the country, acting Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on his Facebook account.

“Units from all law enforcement agencies of the country are being used [in the operation],” Avakov wrote. “God is with us!”

Armed men in masks and unmarked camouflage uniforms stormed and seized administrative buildings and police stations in Slavyansk and at least two other towns in the coal-mining region of Donetsk on Saturday. In Slavyansk, they captured scores of weapons in the police station and distributed them to local separatist activists, the UNIAN news agency reported. A Russian national flag was raised over the police station, the report said.

[Updated, 2:30 a.m. PDT April 13: In the course of the ongoing operation in Slavyansk there were casualties on both sides, including one law enforcement officer killed and five officers injured, Avakov said.

“The separatists are hiding behind a live shield of peaceful residents,” Avakov told UNIAN. “We are regrouping forces.”]

On Sunday, several cars with loudspeakers were circling the center of Slavyansk, broadcasting a call for the residents to join the armed separatists, Novosti Donbassa, a regional Internet publication reported. “Slavyansk, rise!” the appeal was reported as saying. “People, come out to the town administration building!”

Ukrainian army units and armored vehicles were seen approaching the town Sunday morning, according to Novosti Donbassa.

Gunfire from automatic weapons and grenade explosions were heard in the center of the town, Ukrainskaya Pravda, a liberal online publication reported, quoting a Twitter message from a local resident.

Ukrainian authorities charged that Russia is behind the chain of coordinated attacks across the region. In his Facebook post on Saturday night, Avakov called the events “the manifestation of an aggression on the part of the Russian Federation.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry denied involvement in a statement posted on its official website on Saturday.

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