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'Many dead' in Ukraine offensive
2 May 2014 Last updated at 16:01
Many pro-Russia rebels have been
killed, injured and arrested in the
Ukrainian government offensive in
the eastern city of Sloviansk, interim
president Oleksandr Turchynov has
said.
But, in a statement, he said the operation
in the rebel-held city was not going as
quickly as hoped.
Earlier, rebels shot down two Ukrainian
army helicopters, killing a pilot and a
serviceman.
Russia has called for an emergency
meeting of the UN Security Council.
Moscow has said the use of the Ukrainian
army against its own people is "leading
Ukraine to catastrophe" and urged the
Security Council to convene on Friday.
The situation in Sloviansk remains unclear,
with Kiev earlier saying that half the city
was "under control" of Ukrainian units.
Mr Turchynov said the fight against rebel
forces was "greatly complicated" by the
fact that the conflict in eastern Ukraine
was taking place in population centres.
Two Ukrainian army service personnel
were killed in the fight for Sloviansk, he
said, and he accused pro-Russian forces of
hiding behind civilians and hostages.
All pro-Russian checkpoints around the
city had been captured, Mr Turchynov
added, though separatists have spoken of
several still being under their control.
2 May 2014 Last updated at 16:01
Many pro-Russia rebels have been
killed, injured and arrested in the
Ukrainian government offensive in
the eastern city of Sloviansk, interim
president Oleksandr Turchynov has
said.
But, in a statement, he said the operation
in the rebel-held city was not going as
quickly as hoped.
Earlier, rebels shot down two Ukrainian
army helicopters, killing a pilot and a
serviceman.
Russia has called for an emergency
meeting of the UN Security Council.
Moscow has said the use of the Ukrainian
army against its own people is "leading
Ukraine to catastrophe" and urged the
Security Council to convene on Friday.
The situation in Sloviansk remains unclear,
with Kiev earlier saying that half the city
was "under control" of Ukrainian units.
Mr Turchynov said the fight against rebel
forces was "greatly complicated" by the
fact that the conflict in eastern Ukraine
was taking place in population centres.
Two Ukrainian army service personnel
were killed in the fight for Sloviansk, he
said, and he accused pro-Russian forces of
hiding behind civilians and hostages.
All pro-Russian checkpoints around the
city had been captured, Mr Turchynov
added, though separatists have spoken of
several still being under their control.
