Four Ukrainian troops killed in military operation near Slavyansk
KYIV, May 5 (Xinhua) — At least four Ukrainian servicemen were killed and some 30 wounded during a military operation against pro- Russian protesters in the eastern city of Slavyansk, the country’s Interior Ministry said Monday.
An unspecified number of civilians had been killed and wounded during the unrest, but there were no immediate reports of casualties on the side of pro-Moscow protesters, said the ministry.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that a Ukrainian military helicopter was shot down near Slavyansk, but the pilots survived.
Kyiv has launched a fresh wave of “anti-terror” operation in Slavyansk earlier in the day to retake the city, which has been under control of pro-Russian activists since unrest began in eastern part of the country.
Pro-Moscow activists have seized government buildings in several cities and towns in eastern Ukraine early April, demanding referendums on the region’s autonomy and closer ties with Russia.