Ukrainian riot police attack Sloviansk (updated)

15.22 Ukrainian riot police control half Sloviansk

The SBU Anti-Terrorist Centre has presented the information, censor.net.ua reports.

Militants are actively using snipers, mobile groups wearing Berkut uniform and blast mines, Ukrainian riot policemen say.

Local inhabits are scared of diversionists poisoning water in the local water supply. However, no interference in the work of Donets Basin Water has been registered, Donetsk Oblast Administration press service reports. The quality of water is checked every hour.

13.13. 4 militants suspected of shooting at helicopters caught in Sloviansk

Militants shot down a few helicopters with the help of man-portable air-defence systems killing and injuring people. One of the pilots was captured. Ukrainian riot policemen have detained four militants at the road block that could be used for shooting at Ukrainian helicopters, the press service of the Ministry of Defence reports. An investigation is in process now.

See here for mroe pictures.

12.45. Russian mass media: Right Sector lands in Sloviansk

A lull started after Ukrainian riot policemen had put the outskirts of the city under control. There are victims on both sides. The SBU anti-terrorist centre has demanded that militants laid down arms.

A helicopter with armed people has landed in the outskirts of Sloviansk, RIA Novosti reports. They are reported to be wearing the uniform of the Right Sector. About 10 APCs and Ukrainian soldiers had already been there. Local inhabits are trying to create obstacles to the movement of the riot police.

Photo: instagram.com

10.54. Lull in Sloviansk, death toll in Ukrainian riot police increasing

Two soldiers were killed and several more were wounded during militants’ attacks on the Ukrainian helicopters Mi-24, UNIAN reports. The exact number of shot down helicopters has not been reported. Three Ukrainian helicopters were shot down and a wounded Ukrainian pilot was captured, militants claimed earlier.

Man-portable air-defence systems were used to shoot down the helicopters, Ukraine claimed. Another army helicopter was damaged with firearms. Nobody was injured.

Meanwhile, there is a lull in Sloviansk now. The Ukrainian riot police have taken positions in the outskirts of the city where they liquidated roadblocks earlier. They are taking their time before attacking the city centre. A core group of militants is going to escape from the city, some sources report. New barricades are being built in the centre of Sloviansk.  

Photo: instagram.com

9.57. Reports: Militants gather people in Sloviansk to ask Putin for help

Separatists controlling a number of the city districts have urged local inhabitants to come to the central square, espresso.tv reports referring to radio intercept.

Separatists may be planning to record a video appeal to Vladimir Putin with the help of Russian journalists and ask for help.

The Ukrainian riot police are conducting an anti-terrorist operation in Sloviansk today, on May 2.

Photo: instagram.com

9.32. SBU: Foreign military specialists shot down helicopter above Sloviansk

The battle is taking place in the centre of the city. Three separatists' APCs have been put out of action. Three Ukrainian helicopters were shot down, militants claimed. Ukraine only confirmed the loss of one helicopter.

The battle is being conducted by experienced foreign military specialists instead of local ‘peaceful citizens’, the SBU Anti-Terrorist Centre claimed. They are using man-portable air-defence systems.

The Ukrainian riot police have to fight ‘professional hirelings’, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov said. He mentioned 9 liquidated roadblocks, one Ukrainian policemen lost killed and a few wounded policemen. Terrorists are firing from tenement buildings, Avakov reported.  

Photo: ria.ru

8.56. Tymchuk: Terrorists may try to flee from Sloviansk

The Ukrainian riot police have put most of the city under control with the help of helicopters and APCs.

Local inhabitants’ cars are being ‘expropriated’ in the districts controlled by militants. Militants may try to use the cars to escape from the city, head of the Military and Political Research centre Dmitri Tymchuk wrote on Facebook. According to his sources, ‘petty criminals’ who were paid for participation in the terrorist activities are already fleeing – they do not want to risk their lives and fight the Ukrainian riot police.

3 Ukrainian helicopters have been taken down near Sloviansk, Russian mass media report.

8.26. Photo fact: Wounded Ukrainian pilot is captured

Two Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopters have been taken down, Russian mass media report. Ukraine has confirmed that only one helicopter was taken down. The photo of a wounded Ukrainian pilot captured by militants has appeared. He is said to have been taken to hospital, journalist Alexander Kots reports.

The pilot is badly wounded and is in the militants’ headquarters now. He is receiving medical assistance there, RIA Novosti informs.

Photo: instagram.com

8.14. Tymchuk: Ukrainian riot police control most of Sloviansk

All militants’ roadblocks have been liquidated after the release of the TV centre.  

“The main pockets of resistance have been found in the south-eastern part of the city,” head of the Military and Political Research center Dmitri Tymchuk wrote on Facebook. One Ukrainian helicopter (not 2 like militants reported) has been taken down by two MANPADS shots.

One person has been reported dead and another one – injured.

Photo: Reuters

07.21. Battle in central Sloviansk, killed and wounded reported

The battle started near the roadblocks in the outskirts. Two Mi-24 helicopters were shot down, one pilot was captured and another pilot was killed, separatists claim. Three APCs belonging to ‘the self-defense’ were put out of action, RIA Novosti reports.

Ukraine has not presented any details of the special operation yet.

The objects seized by militants in Lugansk and Donetsk Oblasts was planned for May 2, Russian mass media reported yesterday. The Ukrainian Security Service was going to direct the operation and use the National Guard and units formed by Ukrainian patriots.

Photo: Reuters