13:07
20.4.2014
13:36
20.4.2014
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich's media statement in reaction to today's shooting incident near Slovyansk:
"Russia is outraged over this provocation staged by militants, which shows Kyiv's unwillingness to rein in and disarm nationalists and extremists. It comes as a surprise that the tragedy unfolded after the declaration adopted on April 17 in Geneva by representatives of Russia, the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine that unambiguously calls for refrain from any violence, intimidation, and provocations. Russia insists that Ukraine strictly implements its commitments to de-escalate the situation in the southeast of Ukraine."
"Russia is outraged over this provocation staged by militants, which shows Kyiv's unwillingness to rein in and disarm nationalists and extremists. It comes as a surprise that the tragedy unfolded after the declaration adopted on April 17 in Geneva by representatives of Russia, the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine that unambiguously calls for refrain from any violence, intimidation, and provocations. Russia insists that Ukraine strictly implements its commitments to de-escalate the situation in the southeast of Ukraine."
13:38
20.4.2014
13:41
20.4.2014
Security Service of #Ukraine (SBU) calls #Slovyansk shootout "cynical provocation," says whole thing was "staged" http://t.co/nTSHTcpZ06
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 20, 2014
13:43
20.4.2014
LifeNews video of a captured "Right Sector" fighter from last night's attack. Says he's from Vinnytsia, West Ukraine. http://t.co/rSa6QuJP6I
— Kevin Bishop (@bishopk) April 20, 2014
14:05
20.4.2014
Ukraine's Kanal TV is reporting that the Right Sector is denying any involvement in today's shoot-out.
"This is all the Kremlin's blatant lies," Right Sector spokesman Artem Skoropadskyy said in a telephone interview. "The Kremlin itself provoked a scuffle, the Kremlin itself staged an act of provocation and is once again attempting to blame the Right Sector for its unlawful actions."
Skoropadskyy denied that the Right Sector had anything to do "with any shoot-outs or any other activity mentioned in the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry." He went on to claim that the Russian news site Lifenews, which he described as a "notorious information cesspool," fueled the story by reporting that Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh's business cards were found in "completely burned-out vehicles" at the scene. "This is, of course, completely absurd," Skoropadskyy concluded.
The Kyiv-based Kanal 5 is owned by billionaire businessman and presidential hopeful Petro Poroshenko.
"This is all the Kremlin's blatant lies," Right Sector spokesman Artem Skoropadskyy said in a telephone interview. "The Kremlin itself provoked a scuffle, the Kremlin itself staged an act of provocation and is once again attempting to blame the Right Sector for its unlawful actions."
Skoropadskyy denied that the Right Sector had anything to do "with any shoot-outs or any other activity mentioned in the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry." He went on to claim that the Russian news site Lifenews, which he described as a "notorious information cesspool," fueled the story by reporting that Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh's business cards were found in "completely burned-out vehicles" at the scene. "This is, of course, completely absurd," Skoropadskyy concluded.
The Kyiv-based Kanal 5 is owned by billionaire businessman and presidential hopeful Petro Poroshenko.
14:08
20.4.2014
14:23
20.4.2014
14:41
20.4.2014
RFE/RL's multimedia department has issued this Reuters footage of the aftermath of the shoot-out near Slovyansk (WARNING: Graphic Content):
14:45
20.4.2014
Meanwhile, in the Vatican (from RFE/RL's news desk)...
Pope Francis has called for an end to violence in Ukraine during his Easter sermon at the Vatican today.
In a prayer, the pope asked God to "enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine."
The pontiff also called for peace around the world.
He asked the estimated 150,000 people who gathered on St. Peter's Square to pray for those caught in conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Iraq, South Sudan, and for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
"We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent," Francis said.
The pope finished his speech with the traditional Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) blessings, and wished the crowd a Happy Easter in Italian, before saying "have a good lunch, and goodbye."
In a prayer, the pope asked God to "enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine."
The pontiff also called for peace around the world.
He asked the estimated 150,000 people who gathered on St. Peter's Square to pray for those caught in conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Iraq, South Sudan, and for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
"We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent," Francis said.
The pope finished his speech with the traditional Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) blessings, and wished the crowd a Happy Easter in Italian, before saying "have a good lunch, and goodbye."