16:50
2.6.2014
16:46
2.6.2014
Here's RFE/RL Ukrainian Service video in the aftermath of the explosion that struck the separatist-held regional administration building in Luhansk today. It was still unclear if there were casualties.
16:43
2.6.2014
Pro-Kyiv military "Information Resistance" blogger Dmitry Tymchuk says via Facebook that "Ukrainian security forces [have begun] an all-out operation to neutralize terrorist groups in the city" of Luhansk.
"Air and armored forces" are involved, he says.
The operation is aimed at militia groups in the Luhansk regional-administration building, national security service facilities, the Border-Guard detachment, and other parts of the city.
"Air and armored forces" are involved, he says.
The operation is aimed at militia groups in the Luhansk regional-administration building, national security service facilities, the Border-Guard detachment, and other parts of the city.
15:42
2.6.2014
Our Ukraine Service is reporting more about the explosion in Luhansk:
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports there has been an explosion in the regional administration building in Ukraine's eastern city of Luhansk which is occupied by pro-Russia separatists.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Smoke was seen rising from the building, and medics and firefighters have arrived at the scene.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.
The rebels claimed the building was hit by an air strike from a Ukrainian military jet, but the claim could not be verified.
The reported explosion occurred as fighting continued on the outskirts of Luhansk between Ukrainian border guards and insurgents who early on June 2 tried to storm a base of the border guard service.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Smoke was seen rising from the building, and medics and firefighters have arrived at the scene.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.
The rebels claimed the building was hit by an air strike from a Ukrainian military jet, but the claim could not be verified.
The reported explosion occurred as fighting continued on the outskirts of Luhansk between Ukrainian border guards and insurgents who early on June 2 tried to storm a base of the border guard service.
15:25
2.6.2014
15:22
2.6.2014
Some more video from our Ukrainian Service. Members of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union gathered outside the presidential administration building in Kyiv urging the government to take immediate action to help release journalist and Maidan activist Irma Krat, who has been held hostage by pro-Russian separatists in the eastern city of Slovyansk.
14:59
2.6.2014
There are reports emerging that a city admin building has been damaged/is on fire in Luhansk. Unclear what has happened.
14:54
2.6.2014
It seems the fighting is still going on in Luhansk, but the situation is incredibly murky. Here's what our news desk has put together. The border service has said that "hundreds" of insurgents attacked, which seems like a very large number, if true.
The border service said the battle was still going on hours after the insurgents tried to storm the camp in the early hours of June 2.
It said at least five rebels were killed and eight injured. It also said seven border officers were injured, some critically.
A separatist spokesman confirmed only one injured rebel.
The border service accused the insurgents of hiding in surrounding apartment blocks and on roofs and of using civilians as "human shields."
A spokesman said the border guards eventually received air cover from fighter bombers that managed to destroy "two mortar crews of militants."
Fresh fighting was also reported in Slovyansk, a rebel stronghold in neighboring Donetsk region.
It said at least five rebels were killed and eight injured. It also said seven border officers were injured, some critically.
A separatist spokesman confirmed only one injured rebel.
The border service accused the insurgents of hiding in surrounding apartment blocks and on roofs and of using civilians as "human shields."
A spokesman said the border guards eventually received air cover from fighter bombers that managed to destroy "two mortar crews of militants."
Fresh fighting was also reported in Slovyansk, a rebel stronghold in neighboring Donetsk region.
13:23
2.6.2014
12:50
2.6.2014
According to the wires, the death toll in the attack on the border guards has risen.
Ukraine's border guard service says seven officers were wounded, some critically, in an insurgent attack on their camp in eastern Ukraine.
The service said five attackers were killed and eight injured in the ensuing gunbattle. A separatist spokesman confirmed only one injured rebel.
In a statement, the border service said hundreds of insurgents had attacked the border guards' camp in Luhansk in the early hours of June 2, using mortars, machine guns, and automatic rifles.
Fresh fighting was also reported between government forces and rebels in Slovyansk, the separatist stronghold in the neighboring Donetsk region.
The conflict between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine has escalated in the last week, with pro-Russian separatists attempting to seize the airport in Donetsk and the shooting down of a Ukrainian military helicopter, killing 14 soldiers.
The service said five attackers were killed and eight injured in the ensuing gunbattle. A separatist spokesman confirmed only one injured rebel.
In a statement, the border service said hundreds of insurgents had attacked the border guards' camp in Luhansk in the early hours of June 2, using mortars, machine guns, and automatic rifles.
Fresh fighting was also reported between government forces and rebels in Slovyansk, the separatist stronghold in the neighboring Donetsk region.
The conflict between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine has escalated in the last week, with pro-Russian separatists attempting to seize the airport in Donetsk and the shooting down of a Ukrainian military helicopter, killing 14 soldiers.