'Many dead' in Ukraine offensive

But, in a statement, he said the operation in the rebel-held city was not going as quickly as hoped.
Earlier, rebels shot down two Ukrainian army helicopters, killing a pilot and a serviceman.
Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Moscow has said the use of the Ukrainian army against its own people is "leading Ukraine to catastrophe" and urged the Security Council to convene on Friday.

The situation in Sloviansk remains unclear, with Kiev earlier saying that half the city was "under control" of Ukrainian units.

Mr Turchynov said the fight against rebel forces was "greatly complicated" by the fact that the conflict in eastern Ukraine was taking place in population centres.

Two Ukrainian army service personnel were killed in the fight for Sloviansk, he said, and he accused pro-Russian forces of hiding behind civilians and hostages.

All pro-Russian checkpoints around the city had been captured, Mr Turchynov added, though separatists have spoken of several still being under their control.

Labels: Aggression, Conflict, Russia, Threats, Ukraine

posted by Pieface @ Friday, May 02, 2014