10:00
10.5.2014
Germany and France have called tomorrow's separatist referendums in eastern Ukraine "illegal" and warned of "further destabilization" and "appropriate consequences" if Ukraine's May 25 presidential election does not go ahead as planned, Reuters and AFP report. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande said in joint statement on May 10: "If there is not an internationally recognized presidential election, that would lead unavoidably to a further destabilization of the country." The two leaders urged all sides of the conflict in Ukraine to start disarming irregular forces, and cease acts of violence.
Merkel also told reporters today that if the election fails, "then we are ready to take further actions against Russia.
The two leaders also called on Russia to "visibly" reduce its military forces near the Ukrainian border.
They also said that Kyiv must refrain from offensive operations or actions ahead of elections, AFP reported.
Merkel also told reporters today that if the election fails, "then we are ready to take further actions against Russia.
The two leaders also called on Russia to "visibly" reduce its military forces near the Ukrainian border.
They also said that Kyiv must refrain from offensive operations or actions ahead of elections, AFP reported.
09:48
10.5.2014
An update from our newsroom on the situation in Mariupol, where a police chief was abducted amid the bloodshed yesterday:
Tensions remained high in the eastern Ukrainian city Mariupol on May 10, one day after deadly fighting broke out between security forces and pro-Russian militants.
Journalists on the ground said clashes continued in the city.
Mariupol police chief Valeriy Androshchuk was reportedly beaten and kidnapped by unidentified assailants.
Ukrainian troops on May 9 launched a raid against separatist rebels occupying the local police headquarters.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov had said via Facebook on May 9 that 20 "terrorists" and one police officer were killed in the fighting. According to him, another four policemen were wounded and four rebels were captured.
Subsequent reports from pro-Kyiv official sources quoted local hospital sources as saying there were seven dead and around 40 injured.
Authorities in Mariupol have declared May 10 a day of mourning.
Journalists on the ground said clashes continued in the city.
Mariupol police chief Valeriy Androshchuk was reportedly beaten and kidnapped by unidentified assailants.
Ukrainian troops on May 9 launched a raid against separatist rebels occupying the local police headquarters.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov had said via Facebook on May 9 that 20 "terrorists" and one police officer were killed in the fighting. According to him, another four policemen were wounded and four rebels were captured.
Subsequent reports from pro-Kyiv official sources quoted local hospital sources as saying there were seven dead and around 40 injured.
Authorities in Mariupol have declared May 10 a day of mourning.
09:24
10.5.2014
09:16
10.5.2014
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10.5.2014
09:12
10.5.2014
TSN.ua reports today that Ukrainian troops repelled gunmen who attacked a TV tower in Slovyansk.
09:07
10.5.2014
08:42
10.5.2014
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10.5.2014
08:40
10.5.2014