18:40
23.4.2014
Here's another update from our news desk:
Ukraine's Interior Ministry says security forces have "liberated" an eastern town that it said was controlled by armed pro-Russian separatists.
The ministry said today that an operation took place on the outskirts of the town of Sviatohirsk, and that no one was injured. It said police were now patrolling the streets.
It was not immediately clear how long gunmen may have been in control of the town, which is located not far from the rebel-held town of Slovyansk.
The announcement that the town had been recaptured came one day after Ukraine’s acting president announced the resumption of an “antiterrorist” operation against armed pro-Russian separatist groups in the east.
The ministry said today that an operation took place on the outskirts of the town of Sviatohirsk, and that no one was injured. It said police were now patrolling the streets.
It was not immediately clear how long gunmen may have been in control of the town, which is located not far from the rebel-held town of Slovyansk.
The announcement that the town had been recaptured came one day after Ukraine’s acting president announced the resumption of an “antiterrorist” operation against armed pro-Russian separatist groups in the east.
18:30
23.4.2014
17:54
23.4.2014
Pro-Russian, self-styled Slovyansk "people's mayor" Vyacheslav Ponomaryov was quoted by Gazeta.ru as saying militants nearby are "not preparing to release US journalist Simon Ostrovsky." Ponomaryov reportedly added that "we need captives; we need a bargaining chip."
17:47
23.4.2014
17:43
23.4.2014
17:39
23.4.2014
And our service quoting Interior Ministry saying linchpin eastern city Svyatohorsk freed from separatists.
17:34
23.4.2014
17:33
23.4.2014
17:28
23.4.2014
From our newsroom:
The U.S. State Department says it is "deeply concerned" over reports about the kidnapping of American journalist Simon Ostrovsky by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a statement on April 23 called on Russia "to use its influence with these groups to secure the immediate and safe release of all hostages in eastern Ukraine."
Ostrovsky, who reports for Vice News, is reportedly being held by pro-Russian insurgents in the eastern city of Slovyansk.
Stella Khorosheva, a spokeswoman for the rebels, said Ostrovsky is being held for unspecified "bad activities."
However, Slovyansk's local rebel leader, Vyatcheslav Ponomarev, told reporters that Ostrovsky "is not being detained, was not abducted, has not been arrested," and claimed that he was "working" in one of the rebel-occupied buildings.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a statement on April 23 called on Russia "to use its influence with these groups to secure the immediate and safe release of all hostages in eastern Ukraine."
Ostrovsky, who reports for Vice News, is reportedly being held by pro-Russian insurgents in the eastern city of Slovyansk.
Stella Khorosheva, a spokeswoman for the rebels, said Ostrovsky is being held for unspecified "bad activities."
However, Slovyansk's local rebel leader, Vyatcheslav Ponomarev, told reporters that Ostrovsky "is not being detained, was not abducted, has not been arrested," and claimed that he was "working" in one of the rebel-occupied buildings.