11:05
16.4.2014
The mayor of Slovyansk has been telling Reuters that armed pro-Russia separatists have been distributing weapons among local residents:
10:42
16.4.2014
What is clear from an eyewitness video in Kramatorsk: Ukrainian soldiers gave away those APCs without any fight
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) April 16, 2014
10:29
16.4.2014
More pro-Russia militia enjoying a spin in #Kramatorsk. The east of Ukraine lost to Kiev barring divine intervention pic.twitter.com/TMFsM0gBco
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) April 16, 2014
10:28
16.4.2014
This YouTube video purportedly shows tanks in Slovyansk this morning:
10:21
16.4.2014
Our news desk has a little bit more detail on developments in Slovyansk and Donetsk:
Armored vehicles bearing the Russian flag have been seen driving in eastern Ukraine.
The vehicles drove through the city of Kramatorsk, heading into the city of Slovyansk.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that the armored vehicles stopped outside the city hall in Slovyansk, which is still occupied by separatists.
Dozens of men in camouflage were seated on top of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, separatists on April 16 broke into the city hall in the region's main city of Donetsk.
Separatists also continue to occupy official buildings in at least eight other eastern cities.
Yesterday Ukraine's security forces launched an "antiterrorist" operation in the east of the country and retook a small military air base in Kramatorsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Russia denies accusations by Ukraine and the West that it is organizing the unrest.
The vehicles drove through the city of Kramatorsk, heading into the city of Slovyansk.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that the armored vehicles stopped outside the city hall in Slovyansk, which is still occupied by separatists.
Dozens of men in camouflage were seated on top of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, separatists on April 16 broke into the city hall in the region's main city of Donetsk.
Separatists also continue to occupy official buildings in at least eight other eastern cities.
Yesterday Ukraine's security forces launched an "antiterrorist" operation in the east of the country and retook a small military air base in Kramatorsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Russia denies accusations by Ukraine and the West that it is organizing the unrest.
10:07
16.4.2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
Armed pro-Russian separatists have taken control of the Donetsk City Council building, according to a council spokeswoman. (Reuters)
09:51
16.4.2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
The wires are now also reporting APCs with Russian flags:A group of armored vehicles has entered the eastern Ukrainian town of Slovyansk. The lead vehicle is showing the Russian flag.
09:27
16.4.2014
A couple of ominous-sounding tweets:
So pro-Russian unmarked militia now has armored troop carriers & are driving from Kramatorsk to Slaviansk. A definite escalation of tensions
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 16, 2014
One of the six tanks of the Ukranian army that I just saw in #Kramatorsk that switched sides. Now w Russian flag. pic.twitter.com/Ig0qJQ5jWM
— Raniah Salloum (@Ranyah) April 16, 2014
09:18
16.4.2014
Despite the Kyiv government's moves against some separatists yesterday, our news desk reports that tomorrow's four-party talks in Geneva will probably still go ahead.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a planned April 17 four-party meeting on Ukraine remains on the agenda for now.
Russia previously had said the use of force against pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine would imperil the talks in Geneva between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.
Ukraine's security forces retook a small military air base in the east in an "antiterrorist" operation launched on April 15.
The separatists continue to occupy official buildings in about nine eastern Ukrainian cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Ukraine's parliament is to discuss the crisis in the east behind closed doors today.
The UN Security Council is due to meet later today to discuss the human rights situation in Ukraine.
Russia previously had said the use of force against pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine would imperil the talks in Geneva between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.
Ukraine's security forces retook a small military air base in the east in an "antiterrorist" operation launched on April 15.
The separatists continue to occupy official buildings in about nine eastern Ukrainian cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Ukraine's parliament is to discuss the crisis in the east behind closed doors today.
The UN Security Council is due to meet later today to discuss the human rights situation in Ukraine.
09:04
16.4.2014
This may be start of the Ukrainian Civil War: Pro-Russian men in 5 armed troop carriers & special forces in truck driving toward Slaviansk
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 16, 2014