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A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.
A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.
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Live Blog: Crisis In Ukraine (Archive)

Summary for June 9

-- Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that Moscow and Kyiv have reached a "mutual understanding" on key parts of a plan proposed by President Petro Poroshenko for ending violence in separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine.

-- Reports say up to 20 armed gunmen were trying to seize property from a factory (Topaz) that makes communications and electronic-warfare equipment in the Donetsk region.

-- A deputy foreign minister says Russia will consider any expansion of NATO forces near its borders a "demonstration of hostile intentions" and "take the necessary political and military-technological measures to support our security."

-- A two-man crew for Russian Zvezda TV arrived in Moscow after being released from detention in Ukraine.

-- Serbian officials say their own work on the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline will have to be suspended after Bulgaria stopped construction of its portion based on EU and U.S. concerns.

-- Ukrainian security forces are reportedly still battling pro-Russian separatists in the east near Slovyansk and Donetsk.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Kyiv
07:45 24.5.2014
Good morning. We'll start the live blog today with a report from our news desk regarding more violence in eastern Ukraine.
Fresh clashes have been reported in eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian fighters, just a day before the country is due to hold a presidential election.

Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine are threatening to block balloting in areas under their control, making the prospect for peace appear distant.

The clashes early today came as Kyiv continues an offensive to try to halt the separatist uprising.

In the Donetsk region, Associated Press reporters say they saw two dead Ukrainian soldiers near the village of Karlivka, and another body close to a nearby checkpoint set up by separatists.

It was not immediately possible to verify casualty claims made by separatists or government officials.

An observation mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) arrived in Kyiv on May 23 to monitor tomorrow's vote.
08:28 24.5.2014
08:33 24.5.2014
08:40 24.5.2014
09:23 24.5.2014
09:28 24.5.2014
09:30 24.5.2014
09:40 24.5.2014
Our news desk has been compiling some U.S. reaction to events in Ukraine. First off, this is what Pentagon spokesman John Kirby had to say last night about Russian troop movements near the Ukrainian border:
We have seen continued activity of preparations for departure of some units, not all. We have seen the movement of some units, not all. And I would remind you that there still remains a very sizable force along that border. Tens of thousands of soldiers still remain. While we do see some movement, it's too soon for us to say that this is the wholesale withdrawal that [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin had ordered.

State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf in Washington also had this to say about Ukraine's presidential election tomorrow:
We would welcome Russian acknowledgement and acceptance of the election results. The election is preparing to move forward on the 25th [of May], and the vast majority of the country is ready to have them, and where it's been challenging, the Ukrainian government is working the best they can to still allow people to vote. But at the same time, we would encourage Russia to use its influence with separatists, to urge them to cease their violent activities and lay down their arms.
10:10 24.5.2014
10:11 24.5.2014

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