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Ukrainian servicemen ride in a tank close to the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk, a facility which has been the site of intense fighting for several weeks.
Ukrainian servicemen ride in a tank close to the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk, a facility which has been the site of intense fighting for several weeks.

Live Blog: Ukraine In Crisis (Archive)

We have moved the Ukraine Crisis Live Blog. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please find it HERE.

19:48 19.6.2014
19:55 19.6.2014
20:12 19.6.2014
We're now closing the live blog for today. Don't forget that you can keep abreast of allour ongoing Ukraine coverage here.
05:29 20.6.2014
Good morning. We'll start the live blog today with this report from our news desk of some major clashes in eastern Ukraine:
Heavy fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists has been reported in east Ukraine.

Reports said the fighting appeared to be centered around the villages of Krasny Liman and nearby Yampil in the region of Donetsk.

One military source quoted by the Reuters news agency said some 4,000 separatists had been involved while Ukrainian infantry were supported by some 20 tanks as well as artillery and heavy armor.

A top rebel commander, Igor Strelkov, reported "heavy losses" in equipment and arms among the separatists.

There was no word on casualties from the government side.

Fighting reportedly erupted early on June 19 after rebels refused to lay down their arms as part of President Petro Poroshenko's proposed peace plan.

It includes an offer of a unilateral cease-fire by government forces and amnesty for the separatists - but only if they lay down their weapons.

On his website, Poroshenko said he outlined the plan to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on June 19, highlighting the need for hostages to be freed and "an effective regime of control" established on the joint border.

Poroshenko also said he expressed hope Putin would support the plan and any cease-fire that would be declared.

The two leaders spoke hours after NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that at least a few thousand more Russian troops were now on Ukraine's long eastern border.

Kyiv has accused Russia of stirring up the unrest and of allowing volunteer fighters from Russia to cross into Ukraine to support the rebels.

This is denied by Moscow, which has been urging Poroshenko to end "punitive action" against the rebels.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden assured Poroshenko late on June 18 that there would be "further costs on Russia" unless it used its influence to stop the separatist violence.

In Kyiv, Poroshenko received a boost when parliament overwhelmingly endorsed his nominations for three key posts including that of foreign minister.

Speaking to journalists later, he said he himself would sign an association agreement with the European Union on June 27 which commentators say will decisively shift Ukraine away from Russia's influence and rule out its joining a Moscow-led customs union.
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