Third attempt overnight by armed separatists to break into #Artemivsk tank base. Attack repelled, but one troop wounded, damage inflicted.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) June 20, 2014
#Artemovsk friend in SMS during attack last night: "Massive shooting in Art now, Kalashnikovs and smth much heavier." Reports say RPGs fired
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) June 20, 2014
Turchynov: Operation to shut down Ukrainian-Russian border over http://t.co/mfmbu72vnl pic.twitter.com/WrLcbg8cLU
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) June 20, 2014
As #Turchynov says border is sealed off, two tanks and 5 APCs cross into Lugansk oblast in #Ukraine. Interesting interpretation of "sealed"
— Katya Gorchinskaya (@kgorchinskaya) June 20, 2014
More videos app. showing 3 tanks, APCs, white cars entering Luhansk fr East. Not confirmed https://t.co/q6ifuyUDIr http://t.co/JhYCSAlwv1
— Simon Kruse (@crusoes) June 20, 2014
12 Ukrainian paratroopers killed near Krasny Lyman http://t.co/rsSSO3jIRr pic.twitter.com/1V8rTaACtE
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) June 20, 2014
Donetsk separatists' flag is well-known. Luhansk apparently has a contest for state symbols: http://t.co/CMJHTmYGPf pic.twitter.com/R22tr5j1l6
— Nikolaus von Twickel (@niktwick) June 20, 2014
IN KYIV TODAY: Press briefing by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (.@OSCE_SMM) at 14:00 local time http://t.co/EhqBjp1VDz
— OSCE (@OSCE) June 20, 2014
Ukraine says seven of its troops have been killed in heavy fighting with pro-Russian separatists in the country's east, as President Petro Poroshenko prepares to unveil his plan to quell the conflict.
Reports said fighting appeared to be centered on Krasny Liman and Yampil in the Donetsk region.
Ukraine says 300 rebels were killed, although that figure cannot be verified.
A top rebel commander, Igor Strelkov, reported "heavy losses" in equipment and arms among the separatists.
Meanwhile, Poroshenko is expected to announce a 14-point peace plan on June 20.
According to an unofficial copy published by the media, the plan calls for the creation of a 10-kilometer buffer zone on the border with Russia.
It is also said to include an offer of a unilateral cease-fire by government forces and an amnesty for separatists -- but only if they lay down their arms.
#Putin publicly ignoring pleas for help from separatists in #Ukraine - signaling they are on their own, but also not trying to stop them.
— Douglas Herbert (@dougf24) June 20, 2014
Ukraine peace plan to call for 10-km buffer zone on Russia border http://t.co/BsrUDJczZE
— Alessandra Prentice (@alessaprentice) June 20, 2014
Officials say Poltava pipeline explosion likely sabotage. Why? Gazprom set to bid on a part of Nord Stream on July 15 http://t.co/6rtXHrwFXM
— Isaac Webb (@isaacdwebb) June 20, 2014
Spent time @ Army SOS in Kiev, grassroots initiative providing Ukr soldiers w basic eqipmt. Generals r still sending units 2 front w/o armor
— Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) June 20, 2014
I saw them take a dozen calls pleading for assistance. They say their main problem not money or ppl willing 2 help, but govt bureaucracy.
— Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) June 20, 2014
400 flak helmets being held up by Ukrainian customs, say Army SOS. (!)
— Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) June 20, 2014