18:37
4.5.2014
Crimean Prosecutor-General Natalya Poklonskaya surfaced today when she arrived at the office of Crimean Tatar Mejlis leader Refat Chubarov and read out a warning against engaging in "extremist" activities.
Mejlis deputy leader Nariman Dzhelal shot video of Poklonskaya's warning, which Chubarov requested she read out in the Crimean Tatar language, citing his right to be informed of the accusations in a language officially recognized by the Russian government.
Poklonskaya's visit comes after thousands gathered on May 3 at a border crossing near Armyansk to greet Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, who was turned back at a Moscow airport on his way from Kyiv to Simferopol on May 2.
Poklonskaya accused Chubarov of organizing illegal demonstrations in support of Dzhemilev, who was also denied entry into Crimea by car on May 3.
Mejlis deputy leader Nariman Dzhelal shot video of Poklonskaya's warning, which Chubarov requested she read out in the Crimean Tatar language, citing his right to be informed of the accusations in a language officially recognized by the Russian government.
Poklonskaya's visit comes after thousands gathered on May 3 at a border crossing near Armyansk to greet Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, who was turned back at a Moscow airport on his way from Kyiv to Simferopol on May 2.
Poklonskaya accused Chubarov of organizing illegal demonstrations in support of Dzhemilev, who was also denied entry into Crimea by car on May 3.
17:44
4.5.2014
Our news desk has this short item on some of the latest diplomatic efforts:
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed the crisis in Ukraine during a phone conversation, stressing the need for international action to reduce tensions.
The Kremlin said in a statement that Merkel also expressed her "satisfaction with the assistance provided by Russia" in the release of OSCE military observers who had been held by pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
The two leaders also exchanged opinions on the supply and transit of Russian gas based on the results of consultations between Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union held in Warsaw on May 2.
The Warsaw talks led to a tentative agreement guaranteeing uninterrupted natural gas supplies to Ukraine and Europe through May.
Separately, the Kremlin said that the head of the OSCE, Didier Burkhalter, will visit Moscow on May 7 for talks on Ukraine.
The Kremlin said in a statement that Merkel also expressed her "satisfaction with the assistance provided by Russia" in the release of OSCE military observers who had been held by pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
The two leaders also exchanged opinions on the supply and transit of Russian gas based on the results of consultations between Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union held in Warsaw on May 2.
The Warsaw talks led to a tentative agreement guaranteeing uninterrupted natural gas supplies to Ukraine and Europe through May.
Separately, the Kremlin said that the head of the OSCE, Didier Burkhalter, will visit Moscow on May 7 for talks on Ukraine.
17:30
4.5.2014
16:44
4.5.2014
Another update on events in Odesa from our news desk:
Dozens of pro-Russian activists have been freed from police detention in Ukraine's southern port of Odesa, after a crowd of some 2,000 surrounded the police headquarters demanding their release.
The pro-Russia crowd forced a gate and broke windows at the police station as police officers tried to stop them from entering.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry said in a statement today that 67 pro-Russia activists were released. It was not immediately clear whether others were still being held.
The activists had been detained after a fire and fighting in the port city that left more than 40 people dead on May 2.
Most of the victims died in a blaze apparently started by firebombs thrown inside the building where pro-Russia activists had sought refuge amid street fighting with pro-Ukrainian demonstrators.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk visited Odesa today and accused Russia of engineering the violence.
The pro-Russia crowd forced a gate and broke windows at the police station as police officers tried to stop them from entering.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry said in a statement today that 67 pro-Russia activists were released. It was not immediately clear whether others were still being held.
The activists had been detained after a fire and fighting in the port city that left more than 40 people dead on May 2.
Most of the victims died in a blaze apparently started by firebombs thrown inside the building where pro-Russia activists had sought refuge amid street fighting with pro-Ukrainian demonstrators.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk visited Odesa today and accused Russia of engineering the violence.
16:18
4.5.2014
16:13
4.5.2014
Ukrayinska Pravda Online, citing the Donetsk-based website Ostrov, is reporting that four bound captives were delivered to the Donetsk Oblast administrative council headquarters.
It reports that the four captives, rumored to be pro-Ukrainian activists, arrived in a minibus that drove up to the square in front of the regional council building, which is controlled by separatists.
Gunmen who delivered the captives reportedly fired shots in the air to keep an assembled mob at bay and took the captives into the building.
It reports that the four captives, rumored to be pro-Ukrainian activists, arrived in a minibus that drove up to the square in front of the regional council building, which is controlled by separatists.
Gunmen who delivered the captives reportedly fired shots in the air to keep an assembled mob at bay and took the captives into the building.
16:03
4.5.2014
The "Kyiv Post" has reconstructed the deadly events of May 2 in Odesa, based on a journalist's eyewitness account.
An excerpt:
Read on for the entire account, with photos and video links.
An excerpt:
Young women and elderly people from the pro-Ukrainian rally began dismantling the pavement and passing the rocks to the frontline. Soon, other supporters brought gasoline and foam plastic, and young women began mixing Molotov cocktails right on Derybasivskaya Street.
Read on for the entire account, with photos and video links.
15:46
4.5.2014
15:21
4.5.2014
15:01
4.5.2014