11:48
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.
12:00
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.
12:15
10.5.2014
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has accused Romania and Ukraine of denying his plane overfly rights on his planned return from Moldova's Transdniester.
It says: "Romania – at the request of the United States – closed its airspace to my plane. Ukraine is again denying entry."
Rogozin was in Moldova's breakaway region to take part in ceremonies yesterday marking the end of World War II.
He arrived there on May 8 after a delay he said was caused by Ukrainian authorities denying his plane access through Ukrainian airspace.
It says: "Romania – at the request of the United States – closed its airspace to my plane. Ukraine is again denying entry."
Rogozin was in Moldova's breakaway region to take part in ceremonies yesterday marking the end of World War II.
He arrived there on May 8 after a delay he said was caused by Ukrainian authorities denying his plane access through Ukrainian airspace.
12:19
10.5.2014
Slovyansk separatist leader Vyacheslav Ponomarev has laid down demands before negotiations could begin with Kyiv authorities, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports, citing a RIA Novosti report. They include a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces and a prisoner exchange.
12:21
10.5.2014
12:22
10.5.2014
12:25
10.5.2014
Better late than never from the Red Cross. Why would they fail to mention that one worker was "severely beaten," in the earlier words of a spokeswoman?
12:25
10.5.2014
13:01
10.5.2014
13:07
10.5.2014
Separatists promise 100 percent turnout for referendum ... and why not 146 percent?