07:03
2.5.2014
It's a murky situation in Slovyansk this morning, but here's the latest from our news desk.
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk say that Ukrainian security forces are trying to retake control of the city in a "large-scale operation."
A Reuters photographer said he a Ukrainian Air Force helicopter had fired on the outskirts of the city, which has a population of more than 100,000 people.
A reporter also said he heard gunfire in the city.
An aide to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said he could not comment. "until it's over."
Slovyansk has been firmly under the control of the separatist forces since last month when activists first took control of the police headquarters.
They have since taken the city hall and other government buildings.
The pro-Russian rebels in the city have detained Slovyansk's mayor, several journalists, three Ukraiian Security Service (SBU) members, and are also holding Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) military observers, including three Germans.
A Reuters photographer said he a Ukrainian Air Force helicopter had fired on the outskirts of the city, which has a population of more than 100,000 people.
A reporter also said he heard gunfire in the city.
An aide to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said he could not comment. "until it's over."
Slovyansk has been firmly under the control of the separatist forces since last month when activists first took control of the police headquarters.
They have since taken the city hall and other government buildings.
The pro-Russian rebels in the city have detained Slovyansk's mayor, several journalists, three Ukraiian Security Service (SBU) members, and are also holding Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) military observers, including three Germans.
17:49
1.5.2014
Barring major events, that concludes our live blogging for May 1.
17:30
1.5.2014
17:29
1.5.2014
The number of government building seizures reportedly continues to grow.
17:20
1.5.2014
Broadcasts of the Ukrainian Channel One have been replaced in Luhansk by Russia 24 programming, our Ukrainian Service reports.
17:17
1.5.2014
As I warned in an earlier tweet on a claim by Interfax, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) denies the report that separatists holding three SBU officers released two of the men in a prisoner swap. The three SBU employees were shown in grim circumstances in video released last week.
17:11
1.5.2014
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry accuses armed separatists of "hiding behind civilians."
16:56
1.5.2014
Interfax reports that Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes, who was flown to Israel for treatment after he was shot in the back in an apparent assassination attempt, has regained consciousness.
16:47
1.5.2014
From Reuters, Unian, and Grani.ru via our newsroom:
Small groups have held unsanctioned demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, supporting Ukraine and criticizing the Kremlin's actions in the neighboring country.
The May 1 action in Moscow consisted of only seven people walking along one of the main streets in the city center holding a large Ukrainian flag and singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
Members of the Interior Ministry special police unit (OMON) broke up the demonstration and took four of the demonstrators into custody.
In St. Petersburg another demonstration in support of democracy in Russia and Ukraine was held the same.
Reports did not specify how many people attended that rally.
One resident of the city, whose name was not given, said "I support Ukraine and as an honest citizen of my country I cannot approve of what is happening [in Russia] right now."
The May 1 action in Moscow consisted of only seven people walking along one of the main streets in the city center holding a large Ukrainian flag and singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
Members of the Interior Ministry special police unit (OMON) broke up the demonstration and took four of the demonstrators into custody.
In St. Petersburg another demonstration in support of democracy in Russia and Ukraine was held the same.
Reports did not specify how many people attended that rally.
One resident of the city, whose name was not given, said "I support Ukraine and as an honest citizen of my country I cannot approve of what is happening [in Russia] right now."
16:21
1.5.2014