Ukraine 'retakes Mariupol city hall'

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7 May 2014 Last updated at 08:26 Pro-Russian separatists seized Mariupol city hall last week Ukrainian government forces have retaken the city hall in the south-eastern port of Mariupol from pro-Russia separatists, reports say.

The rebels, who had seized the building last week, reportedly left early on Wednesday. The reason is not clear.

Pro-Russia separatists have captured official buildings in dozens of towns in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.

The government has accused Russia of helping the rebels and sent troops to restore Kiev's authority.

Kiev has rejected the pro-Russian activists' demands for greater autonomy for eastern regions, fearing they could lead to the break-up of the country or more regions being annexed.

Separatists in Donetsk have proclaimed a "People's Republic" and are preparing to hold an independence referendum on Sunday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry called the plan "contrived and bogus", and said the US rejected it as an "illegal effort to further divide Ukraine".

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"Russian jets enter space Ukraine"

26 April 2014 last updated at 04:19 armed groups per Russia remain control of the seized buildings of Eastern Ukraine of the US says Russian military planes Ukrainian airspace several times amid rising tensions in the East of the country have entered.

A Pentagon spokesman called Russia "to defuse the situation".

The statement came as the G7 group of industrialised countries fresh sanctions on Saturday for "quickly" to Russia via the Ukraine.

Meanwhile, talks underway to secure the release of international observers by separatists are seized.

Russia has tens of thousands of troops along the side of the border to the Ukraine as a pro-Moscow separatists still defying the Government in Kiev official buildings in a dozen cities in Eastern, to occupy.

'Dangerously destabilizing'

Russia has accused "Ukraine to take" want in the West.

In a statement on Friday, Pentagon spokesman Col Steven Warren said that Russian planes several times had entered Ukrainian airspace in the last 24 hours.

He gave no further details, but Moscow "immediately initiate measures, to de-escalate the situation", calls.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel described Russian activities along the Ukrainian border as "dangerously destabilizing" and "very provocative".

Images a Russian buildup near the Ukrainian border was released by NATO this month show have set up Ukrainian troops of check points to Slavyansk where involved in building

Last week hit Ukraine and Russia an agreement in Geneva asked separatists to leave official premises and their weapons give up. The Pact include an amnesty for those the peaceful.

But so far, pro Russian activists have refused demands to give.

A joint statement by the G7 said, Russia had taken "no concrete measures for promoting the Heskem".

"We now have agreed that we will move quickly to additional sanctions against Russia," said the statement.

"Considering the urgency of the chance for a successful and peaceful democratic election next month in the Ukraine to secure presidential elections, we have committed to urgent action to targeted sanctions and increase measures the cost of Russia's approach to intensify."

White House sources told reporters that sanctions might be already on Monday.

It is unclear what form they will take. Under current United States and EU measures were assets freezes and travel a bans attacked a number of Russian officials.

On Friday, armed separatists said seven representatives of the Organisation for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as five Ukrainian army personnel and a bus driver had taken Ukrainian Interior Ministry.

Pro-Russian leader in Slavyansk confirmed the bus had stopped near the town of Slavyansk, and said that they were verified the identity of the persons on board.

The self-styled Mayor of Slavyansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said that at least a passenger was carrying cards with separatist checkpoints in the area of the proposed "their involvement in espionage".

A "bloody crimes"

Last weekend broadcast Mr. Ponomaryov an appeal to President Putin calls for Russian troops to protect of the city from "Fascists" after three of his men died in a shootout.

Tensions have risen in the last few days, as Ukraine military attacks to try launched again occupied building.

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have been, reported killed in the raids at least two separatists as "bloody crimes".

Mr Lavrov repeated the accusation, previously from Moscow, Ukraine a against its own people war.

Unrest in the Ukraine began in November over whether the country toward Moscow or Western look.

Last month, Russia of Ukraine annexed the mainly ethnic Russian Crimean peninsula. Preceded by a referendum in the region, supporting the accession of the Russian Federation, but which was regarded in the West and Kiev as illegal.

Are you in the East of Ukraine? How has you concerned the unrest? You can us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, e-Mail with the subject line "Ukraine".

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Russia accuses West of Ukraine plot must visit

Russia has denied involvement in the seizures of official buildings by pro-Russians in eastern Ukraine Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine, amid escalating rhetoric between Russia and the US.

The US says Russia has failed to live up to an agreement to end the crisis struck in Geneva last week.

American officials say Russia is behind unrest in eastern Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine has warned it will consider any crossing into its territory by Russian troops stationed on the border as a "military invasion".

"We do not accept false declarations about humanitarian action," the chief of staff of acting President Olexander Turchynov told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

"We will destroy the attackers."

In a separate development, Russia's foreign currency ratings have been cut by the credit ratings agency Standard & Poor to one notch above "junk" status.

The agency warned that further downgrades were possible if the West imposed tighter sanctions against Moscow.

'Bloody crime'

Pro-Russian separatists have been occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.

A bride passes by masked pro-Russian activist near a barricade outside a government building in the eastern city of Donetsk Pro-Russian separatists are refurbishing old rifles at a makeshift camp in the town of Sloviansk

Ukraine has launched military raids to regain the buildings, which Mr Lavrov described as a "bloody crime".

"The West... wants to seize Ukraine so to speak, being solely motivated by its own geopolitical ambitions and not the interests of the Ukrainian people," Mr Lavrov said, according to AFP.

"The might of US propaganda" was aimed "at smearing Russia, smearing those who protest against the illegal actions of the [Kiev] authorities," he went on.

In response to Mr Lavrov's comments, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Russia wanted to "start World War Three" by occupying Ukraine "militarily and politically" and by creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe.

Natalia Antelava investigates who entered Mariupol's city council building

Russia has ordered new military exercises on its border following the Ukrainian military raids, drawing condemnation from Kiev.

Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border and on Friday acting Ukrainian Defence Minister Mikhail Koval said they had come within a kilometre of the border.

On Thursday morning raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk left at least two separatists dead.

There have also been reports from the port city of Odessa indicating that an explosion at a checkpoint injured at least seven people.

Russia 'fantasy'

US President Barack Obama said he would talk to some key European leaders on Friday evening to make sure they shared his "assessment in terms of what has happened since the Geneva talks" held on 17 April.

Continue reading the main story Steve Rosenberg BBC News, Donetsk

These are strong words from John Kerry. But they're unlikely to convince the Kremlin to change its position on Ukraine.

Experience shows that President Putin doesn't respond well to Western criticism. He believes the United States and the EU are hypocritical, that the West is the sponsor of what Moscow sees as an illegitimate government in Kiev. He suspects Western governments are plotting to undermine Russia's national interests.

If you analyse the tough language coming out of Moscow in recent days and look at the way this conflict is being portrayed by Russian TV channels - as Kiev sending in troops against innocent civilians - there is no sign that the Kremlin is prepared to change its view.

If that is the case, then Russian military intervention in eastern Ukraine on the pretext of protecting Russians and Russian-speakers there remains a distinct possibility.

On Thursday US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a strongly worded statement, in which he called on Moscow to help defuse the crisis or face further sanctions.

Mr Kerry praised the interim authorities in Kiev, saying they had honoured the agreement struck in Geneva to de-escalate the crisis.

But he said Russia had "put its faith in distraction, deception and destabilisation" and said it had failed to call for separatists to leave official buildings and give up their arms as stipulated by the Geneva agreement.

He also accused Russian media of promoting President Vladimir Putin's "fantasy" about events in Ukraine.

Mr Kerry said US intelligence was confident that Russia was "playing an active role in destabilising eastern Ukraine" with personnel, weapons, money and operational planning".

Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.

Last month, Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimea. This followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.

Are you in eastern Ukraine? How has the unrest affected you? You can email us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.

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U.S. demands Russia action for the Ukraine must visit

US Vice-President Joe Biden has said Russia must "stop talking and start acting" to defuse the Ukraine crisis.Hey what speaking during a joint press conference in Kiev with interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.Mr Biden warned Russia that further "provocative behaviour" would lead to "greater isolation" and urged Moscow to end its alleged support for pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the funerals took place for three men shot on Sunday.

Funerals for those killed at a pro-Russian checkpoint near Sloviansk took place on Tuesday continue reading the main story Steve Rosenberg BBC News, Sloviansk

At the Church of the Holy Spirit in the centre of Sloviansk, Orthodox priest chanted prayers for the dead. The bodies of three pro-Russian activists, shot dead at a makeshift checkpoint on Easter Sunday, lay in open coffins.

When the coffins were carried out of the church, the crowd outside shouted "Glory to the Heroes of the Donbass!" over and over again - Donbass being the name for the Don River basin. Church bells rang out.

The people I've been speaking to here are convinced that it what Ukrainian ultra-nationalists who carried out Sunday's attack. One woman told me she what proud to be Ukrainian, but that instability and violence of which pushing people here to want closer ties to Russia.

They were killed during a raid on a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian separatists near the town of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine.

The circumstances remain unclear. The local separatists said the attack which carried out by ultra-nationalist right sector militants. Kiev called it a "provocation" staged by Russian special forces.

The bodies of those killed lay in open coffins at the funeral ceremony at the Church of the Holy Spirit in the centre of Sloviansk. An Orthodox priest chanted prayers for the dead.

'Endemic' corruption

Earlier in remark to Ukrainian MPs, Mr Biden said the US stood with Ukraine's new leaders against "humiliating threats" - on parameter reference to Russia.

The vice president called on Moscow to urge the pro-Russian separatists to leave the buildings they are occupying in eastern Ukraine, and to abandon checkpoints.

Mr Biden said Ukraine so faced "very daunting problem" and stressed the need for the new authorities to tackle corruption, which he described as "endemic in your system".

He told members of parliament: "The opportunity to generate a united Ukraine, getting it right is within your grasp."

Mr. Biden announced the US would provide at additional $50 m to help Ukraine's government with political and economic reforms.

This includes $11 m to help run the presidential election due on 25 May. On additional $8 m is being provided for non-lethal military assistance.

The presidential election is considered a crucial step in ending the country's deepest political crisis since its independence in 1991.

The BBC's Natalia Antelava of visited a protest camp in Luhansk

Flowers lie on the road near the site of Sunday's fatal shooting pro-Russian of hellbent are still least holding official buildings in at nine town and cities in the Donetsk region 'Tatars banned'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree to rehabilitate Crimea's Muslim Tatars and other ethnic minorities who suffered during the rule of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

After a last month referendum in Crimea, the territory what is incorporated into Russia in a move strongly criticised internationally.

However, on Tuesday the Tatar assembly said the leader of the community, Mustafa Dzhemilev, had been banned from returning to the annexed territory for five years.

Mr. Dzhemilev what reportedly informed of the ban by Russian border guards as he crossed from Crimea to mainland Ukraine. Russia has given no official explanation.

His deputy so what barred, according to the Tatar assembly. The 300,000-strong Tatar community - which makes up 15% of Crimea's population - opposed the peninsula's takeover by Russia.

'Men in masks'

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the Kiev authorities of breaking last week's Geneva accord on resolving the Ukraine crisis.

And in a phone conversation between the US secretary of state, and Russia's foreign minister, so on Monday, both sides blamed the other over the crisis.

The US has drawn up plan for Ford forth economic sanctions should Russia fail to make good on its Geneva commitments.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told the Russian parliament on Tuesday that Russia would be able to "Mini Mise the consequences" of any further sanctions.

The 17 April Geneva accord which agreed at talks between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and U.S. it demanded on immediate end to violence in eastern Ukraine and called on illegal armed groups to surrender their weapons and leave official buildings.

Sergei Lavrov: "all signs show that Kiev can t, and maybe doesn't want to, control the extremists who continue to call the shots"

Pro-Russian of hellbent are still holding official buildings in at least nine towns and cities in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Mr. Biden again accused Russia of supporting "men in masks in unmarked uniforms" who the U.S. of says are directing pro-Russian activity in the East.

Moscow denies being behind the protests and seizures of buildings in the east.

Ukraine says photos released by the Ukrainian government and distributed by the U.S. State Department show Russian soldiers among hellbent holding official buildings in eastern Ukraine.

Photos released by the Ukrainian government purport to show a soldier, circled in red, in both Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, and in a photo (centre) showing a group in the Russian special forces

There what no immediate response to the pictures from the Russian government.

Ukraine has been in turmoil since last November, when Kiev what gripped by protest against President Viktor Yanukovych over his rejection of economic pact with the EU. Hey what toppled in February and fled to Russia.

Russia's annexation of Crimea followed soon afterwards.

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Religious leaders show split UkraineSnapshot: Sushmita Sen walks the ramp with daughter Renee, looks awe-striking must visit

20 April 2014 last updated at 07:23 a self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic flag. Pro-Russian activists refuse building occupied leave Orthodox Easter message from the Patriarch in Kiev and Moscow have the deep division in the Ukraine, where a tense standoff in the East is further highlighted.

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret accused Russia of "Aggression" and "evil".

Russian church Patriarch Kirill prayed to God, the designs of which at the end, who wanted to tear apart from Russia and the Ukraine.

Pro-Russian activists in the East continue to occupy offices.

Media reported several people killed in a Gunbattle close to the eastern town of Slavyansk Russia.

Reports of deaths in the region showed up before but not independently confirmed.

A mediator from the Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is planned, talks with them on Sunday.

Ertogrul speaks, who heads the special OSCE mission in Kiev, said his Deputy in Donetsk to try would be reached on Thursday to the crisis to make it easier to comply with an agreement.

"Revive Ukraine"

In his Easter message, Patriarch Filaret said: "against our peace-loving nation, which has voluntarily given up nuclear weapons aggression took place, there was an injustice.

The Ukraine interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk: "President Putin has a dream of the Soviet Union to restore"

"A country which committed aggression the integrity and the inviolability of the territory guarantees. God on the side of evil can be the enemy of the Ukrainian people is doomed to defeat, "he said.

"God, help resurrect the Ukraine to us."

In Moscow urged Patriarch Kirill for peace, say it "should be in the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters by blood and faith rule".

But he said Ukraine also was "spiritually and historically" with Russia, and he prayed to have the "legitimately elected".

"We are a people before God," he said.

Ukraine's President, Oleksander Turchynov said in his Easter message Act: "We live in a fateful time when the Ukrainian people decisively confirmed, their quest for freedom and justice."

Ukrainian Orthodox believers mark Easter in Donetsk, as Olga Ivshina reports

A pro-Russian activist in a covered building in the Slavyansk

In an interview in full on Sunday, the press later on NBC meet broadcast interim accuses Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin attempting "To restore the Soviet Union".

When Mr Putin was successful, says Mr Yatsenyuk, it would be "the greatest catastrophe of the century".

Ukraine has been in crisis since President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown in February.

Russia then annexed the Crimean peninsula - part of Ukraine, but with a Russian-speaking majority - in a movement, the international outrage caused.

The annexation was followed by a referendum on Crimea, which secured to join a parade in the Russian Federation.

In several Eastern Ukrainian cities occupied building pro-Russian activists then, helping many in Moscow.

"Illegal"

The illegal military groups must be resolved in the Ukraine and that building occupy the Government need to be defused and leave agreed, during talks in Geneva on Thursday, Russia, Ukraine, EU and US.

But the separatist spokesman in Donetsk said that the Kiev Government "illegal", and vowed they would not go until it resigned.

Swiss Envoy Christian Schoenenberger, whose land the OSCE Chair, said that the monitors had talked some dissidents in the East.

"For the time being is the political will not pull out," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia said that operations against the pro-Russian fighters over Easter have been put out.

Ukrainian interim authorities have appealed for national unity and promised to meet the requirements of the pro Russian demonstrators.

These include the decentralization of power and guarantees for the status of the Russian language.

But the United States warned the next Central and more sanctions are against days Russia has threatened if it does not abide by the agreement.

US Vice President Joe Biden is set to visit Kiev on Tuesday.

Are you in the Ukraine? Parts of your experiences by e-Mail to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject title 'Ukraine'.

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Key Geneva talks over Ukraine crisis must visit

 17 April 2014 Last updated at 03:15 Ukrainian attack helicopters buzzed villagers in Kramatorsk, but the army eventually had to give up, as Daniel Sandford reports

Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine are due to meet in Geneva to try to reduce escalating tensions over eastern Ukraine.

Deep disagreement over the issue has led to the worst crisis between the US and Russia since the Cold War.

The West accuses Russia of aiding pro-Russian activists who have seized public buildings across the east.

US President Barack Obama has warned Russia against support for further action by armed pro-Russian groups.

"What I have said consistently is that each time Russia takes these kinds of steps that are designed to destabilize Ukraine and violate their sovereignty, that there are going to be consequences," he said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military operation against separatists has hit obstacles.

Called an "anti-terrorist" operation by the Kiev government, it started on Tuesday and is designed to dislodge pro-Russia gunmen from local authority buildings in a swathe of cities and towns in eastern Ukraine.

Continue reading the main story David Stern BBC News, Donetsk

Ukraine's "anti-terrorist" operation is looking more and more a non-event - or worse, an outright fiasco.

Kiev officials have admitted they have no time to lose to extinguish the growing insurrection in the country's east.

But the decision to send the army in has so far backfired terribly.

The soldiers have been helpless and obviously unhappy with being deployed against crowds of civilians.

Ukraine's new leaders are under a great amount of pressure - not just from the Kremlin and the pro-Russian activists, but from their own supporters, outraged at their government's inability to stem the separatist tide.

Right now, everything has been thrown into doubt - even the future of this government and of Ukraine itself.

The biggest question is what will follow.

Pro-Russian activists want referendums on greater autonomy for the south-east or the right to join the Russian Federation.

But in several districts, Ukrainian troops met vehement opposition on Wednesday from pro-Russia supporters, who object to the new government in Kiev.

Reports from Mariupol in the south of the Donetsk region say a Ukrainian military unit was attacked with petrol bombs.

Soldiers are reported to have opened fire in response and several people were wounded, including some police.

In the city of Kramatorsk, six military vehicles were commandeered on Wednesday by gunmen, who disarmed the Ukrainian soldiers and sent some of them home on buses.

One Ukrainian officer said he had not "come to fight" and would never obey orders to shoot his "own people".

In another incident, several hundred residents of Pchyolkino, south of Sloviansk, surrounded a column of 14 Ukrainian military vehicles.

Daniel Sandford in Sloviansk gets up close to a Ukrainian armoured vehicle which was "rebranded" with a Russian flag

After the crowd was reinforced by pro-Russian gunmen, negotiations ensued and the troops were allowed to drive their vehicles away, but only after agreeing to surrender the magazines from their assault rifles.

Ukraine's "anti-terrorist" operation is looking more and more a non-event - or worse, an outright fiasco, reports the BBC's David Stern in Donetsk.

The Geneva meeting is the first time that foreign ministers from the US, the EU, Ukraine and Russia will sit down for talks since the crisis began.

The US and the EU want an end to the occupations in eastern Ukraine and for the estimated 40,000-strong Russian forces massed near the Ukrainian border to pull back.

Troops conducting Kiev's military operation in the east met opposition in several districts Pro-Russian gunmen seized Ukrainian military vehicles and took them to Sloviansk John Kerry arrives in Geneva where it will be difficult to bridge the gap with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov

A US official, speaking as Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva, stressed that Russia must "take this opportunity to de-escalate" or face a tightening of sanctions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Deshchytsya, called on Russia "not to support terrorist activities in eastern Ukraine."

As if to further illustrate the gulf between the West and Russia over the crisis, Russia's foreign ministry accused Washington of "the persistent unwillingness or inability to see reality as it is in fact, and in a striving to impose on the rest of the world a distorted perception of what is happening in southeast Ukraine."

Continue reading the main story Jonathan Marcus BBC diplomatic correspondent

Nato's announcement is about reassuring worried allies in the Baltic republics and central Europe, as well as signalling to Moscow that when it comes to the alliance's core business - the defence of its members' territory - Nato is as vigilant as ever.

Air patrols over the Baltic republics are to be stepped up; Nato warships will deploy to the eastern Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea.

And on land, staff officers will be dispatched to oversee an enhanced programme of exercises and preparedness in the countries most concerned.

Nato will also review and reinforce its defence plans. In the longer term additional deployments may well be made. Nato sources indicate that this is only the first step of several that could be taken if the relationship with Russia sours further.

Russia, which strongly opposed the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in February, has proposed a new constitution which devolves more power to the regions.

Expectations for the talks are low, says the BBC's Gavin Hewitt in Geneva.

Nato

Russia's stance over eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea in March continue to cause concern in Nato member countries with large Russian-speaking minorities, such as Latvia and Estonia.

So Nato announced on Wednesday that it was beefing up its eastern members' defences.

In Brussels, Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen promised "more planes in the air, more ships on the water, more readiness on the land".

He called on Russia to make clear it did not "support the violent actions of well-armed militias or pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine".

Are you in eastern Ukraine? What is the situation like where you are? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Eastern Ukraine'.

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'Victim' in the Ukraine gun battles must visit

13 April 2014 last change to 12:17 the BBC David Stern reported: Moscow denied the effort was "staged" from the Kremlin

A Ukrainian officer was killed with pro Russian armed men in the eastern city of Slavyansk in a shootout, the Interior Minister says.

Both sides suffered a number of casualties, said arsenic Abraham.

Slavyansk took over pro Russian troops on Saturday and were the target of at least four other cities, the prompt of Kiev, to start an "anti-terrorist operation".

The trouble throwing Moscow of the instigation of Kiev and the Western powers. The Kremlin denies the accusation.

Ukrainian forces military helicopter used in their offer to relocate Slavyansk demonstrators demonstrators burned tyres and their defenses strengthened, before the Government began operation

US officials said on Saturday there was a "concerted campaign" by forces with Russian support, to undermine the authorities in Kiev.

Read the main story David Stern BBC News, Donetsk

Ukrainian authorities had said that she would militarily respond Russian invasion in the East of the country to all. Now, they are accused Moscow in an "Act of aggression" and orchestrated, if not actually perform the seizure of government buildings.

The question arises: this is a medium-sized war? Can somehow manage to avoid, or "Anti-terrorist operations" continue to the Government that this growing insurgency explosiveness to a total conflict?

Large parts of Eastern Ukraine are except slip control of Kiev. More and more police stations and Government buildings fall, unidentified armed to carry the Russian arms and look very similar to the Kremlin forces, Crimea took. The Government of Ukraine seems that there no choice whether violence have applied. The election, it seems is made for you.

Secretary of State John Kerry warned of "additional consequences" if Russia "De-escalation", not try and pull its troops back from the Ukrainian border.

But Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his inability to the Kiev Government, was responsible for the destiny of the country "demonstrated".

He had previously warned that any use of force in the Eastern Ukraine talks later this week due could fail crisis.

Colleagues from Russia were Ukrainian officials to meet the United States and the EU in Geneva on Thursday.

"Shoot to kill"

Armed men took over the police stations and Government buildings in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka on Saturday.

Unconfirmed reports suggested, had assumed public buildings in two other cities - Mariupol and Yenakievo.

Similar accounts Slavyansk and Kramatorsk sprang on Saturday of armed men, dressed in camouflage in buses arrive and storm the police stations.

The security services have pro-Russian activists blocked Office in Luhansk in the city, Donetsk, have been occupied several public buildings

Pro-Russian protesters continue their occupation of the main administration building in the capital of the region of Donetsk, who have held them for a week.

A protest leader told the BBC that the activists in Slavyansk action taken to support the sit-in of Donetsk.

BBC reporter in the Slavyansk said the armed were well organized and quickly established control throughout the city.

Checkpoints set up on major roads in the city.

There was heavy shots, when armed men in the police station in Kramatorsk

Mr Avakov characterized the actions of a "display of aggression by Russia".

Read the main story November 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych rejects an EU agreementDec: pro EU protests break out20 and 21 February 2014: clashes killed dozens in Kiev22 Feb: Mr Yanukovych flees; 27-28 Feb: Pro Russian armed take advantage of important buildings in Crimea.16 Mar:Voters vote for Crimea secede to controversial referendum: Russia later absorbed regionAPR: per Russia activists take over government buildings and police stations in the Eastern UkraineAnnouncing remain the operation to disable the activists, he warned people in their homes in Slavyansk.

"The separatists shoot to kill, without warning of the approaching special forces," he said,

Later he said Ukrainian forces was at a checkpoint on the way to the Slavyansk, was attacked and at least a policeman were killed and five others injured.

An unknown number of militants were also wounded, he said.

Witnesses to the police say there is no sign of clashes and the Centre of the city is quiet.

Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and has seen a series of protests since the fall of the Ukrainian pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

Are you in the Eastern Ukraine? Have you concerned by the unrest? You can experience by e-Mail haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject line "Ukraine".

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Nato to decide new steps on Ukraine/must visit

 1 April 2014 Last updated at 10:09 Russia has reportedly withdrawn some troops, but the exact number is unclear

Nato foreign ministers are due to discuss ways to help Ukraine and reassure allies in Eastern Europe, at a meeting in Brussels.

It is the first time ministers from the 28 member states of the alliance have convened since Russia's takeover of Crimea caused a diplomatic crisis.

Nato has also bolstered air drills to be held over the Baltic states.

On Monday, Russia ordered a partial withdrawal of its troops near the eastern border of Ukraine.

Moscow is believed to have massed tens of thousands of soldiers there in recent days, causing alarm in Kiev and the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he had ordered the pullback, according to the German government.

Continue reading the main story

Moscow has broken with a pattern of behaviour that has characterised diplomacy in Europe since the end of the Cold War”

End Quote Jonathan Marcus BBC diplomatic correspondent Meanwhile, Russian energy firm Gazprom is increasing the price it charges Ukraine for gas from Tuesday.

Gazprom's chief executive Alexei Miller said the price of Russian gas for Ukraine had gone up to $385.5 (£231) per 1,000 cubic metres in the second quarter of 2014 from the previous rate of $268.5.

Mr Miller added that Ukraine's unpaid gas bills to Russia stood at $1.7bn.

In other developments on Tuesday:

Ukraine's parliament ordered security services to disarm all "illegal armed groups", following Monday night's shooting in Kiev that involved a member of the radical Right Sector groupRussia's upper house of parliament voted to pull out of a treaty with Ukraine on the Black Sea Fleet's presence in Crimea

Tensions between the Kremlin and the West rose after the overthrow of pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February, following months of street protests.

Russia's subsequent decision to annex Crimea in March triggered a crisis in relations.

The US and EU have imposed sanctions on members of President Putin's inner circle and other officials. Russia has retaliated with its own sanctions on US politicians.

Rattled nerves

Nato foreign ministers are expected to discuss the formal suspension of co-operation with Moscow at the Brussels meeting.

Russia has said the troops deployed along its border with Ukraine are taking part in military exercises Ukrainian forces have been leaving Crimea after Russia's military takeover of the peninsula The US Air Force has sent 10 F-15 jets to help Nato boost its military presence in the Baltic states Ukraine's special forces reportedly seized weapons from members of the radical Right Sector group

In a statement, the alliance said ministers would speak to acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia about ways to support Ukraine with its defence reforms.

They are also expected to look at options including situating permanent military bases in the Baltic states to reassure members in Eastern Europe.

Russia's actions in Ukraine have rattled nerves in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which were part of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Nato jets will take part in air patrols in the region later in a routine exercise that analysts say has taken on added significance due to the crisis.

Several Nato countries, including the UK, US and France, have offered additional warplanes.

'Crude violation'

Earlier, Ukraine condemned a visit to Crimea by Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and a delegation of government ministers.

A foreign ministry spokesman in Kiev said the highest-level trip to the Black Sea peninsula by officials from Moscow since its annexation by Russia was a "crude violation" of international rules.

Crimeans voted to leave Ukraine for Russia on 16 March, in a Moscow-backed referendum that was later condemned as illegal by the UN General Assembly.

Mr Medvedev announced that he would make Crimea a special economic zone, with tax breaks and reduced bureaucracy to attract investors.

He also vowed to quickly boost salaries and pensions, and to improve education, healthcare and local infrastructure.

However, a number of local residents have complained they are yet to see the promised reforms.

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Russia vows no Ukraine invasion/must visit

 29 March 2014 Last updated at 11:55 Russian troops are already in full control of Crimea Moscow has no intention of sending troops into Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

His comments came after the US and Russian presidents discussed a possible diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The US-backed plan calls for Russia to halt to its military build-up on the border with Ukraine and withdraw its troops to base in Crimea.

Meanwhile Ukrainian boxer and opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko has pulled out of the race for president.

He announced on Saturday that he was supporting billionaire Petro Poroshenko in elections due in May. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has also said she will stand.

Announcing his withdrawal from the race, Mr Klitschko said: "The only chance of winning is to nominate one candidate from the democratic forces."

'Diplomatic means'

In an interview with state TV channel Rossiya 1 on Saturday, Mr Lavrov said: "We have absolutely no intention of - or interest in - crossing Ukraine's borders."

Continue reading the main story Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow

If - as the White House insists - President Vladimir Putin was the one who initiated the phone call, then that is clearly a promising sign. It may mean that he thinks the military phase is over, at least for now, and Russia's best interests lie in diplomacy.

But the Kremlin's account of the phone call suggests there is some hard bargaining ahead. President Putin has introduced into the conversation the isolation of the breakaway Trans-Dniester region of Moldova. This should have nothing to do with Ukraine. But it has everything to do with Russia trying to strengthen its control in former Soviet countries.

He has also introduced the idea of international co-operation to deal with what Russia insists are "rampant extremists" threatening people and institutions. After the Trojan horse-like operation in Crimea, the government in Kiev will be very wary of any Russian involvement in Ukraine's internal affairs.

He added that Russia was ready to protect "the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people in Ukraine, using all available political, diplomatic and legal means".

After the interview was broadcast, it emerged Mr Lavrov had spoken by phone to US Secretary of State John Kerry, in a conversation that Russian officials said was initiated by the US.

That call followed an hour-long phone discussion late on Friday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama. Mr Putin had contacted President Obama, according to US officials.

"President Obama underscored to President Putin that the United States continues to support a diplomatic path... with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis," the White House said in a statement.

"President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty."

The two leaders agreed that Mr Lavrov and Mr Kerry would meet soon to discuss the next steps.

The US proposal, developed in consultation with Ukraine and other European countries, includes halting the military build-up near Ukraine's border, the deployment of international monitors in Crimea to protect the rights of Russian speakers, and the return of Russian troops there to their bases.

The Kremlin said that the Russian president had drawn Mr Obama's attention to "the continued rampage of extremists" in Kiev and various regions of Ukraine.

It said these individuals were "committing acts of intimidation towards peaceful residents, government authorities and law enforcement agencies... with impunity".

President Putin welcomed military leaders to the Kremlin on Friday

Mr Putin suggested examining possible steps the global community could take to help stabilise the situation, the Kremlin statement said.

Russia's reported troop movements near Ukraine's eastern border - described by Nato as a "huge military build-up" - has triggered fears that Mr Putin's interest in Ukraine is not limited to Crimea.

The BBC's North America Editor, Mark Mardell, said Friday night's phone call could indicate tentative progress towards a diplomatic solution - just when fears were growing in the West that Russia could be about to stage an invasion of eastern Ukraine.

The US and its allies have imposed sanctions on members of Mr Putin's inner circle, and threatened to take action to target the Russian economy, in response to Moscow's actions in Crimea.

Moscow formally annexed Crimea after the predominantly ethnic Russian region held a referendum which backed joining Russia.

Kiev and the West condemned the vote as "illegal".

The move followed months of street protests, which led to the overthrow of pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

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Putin and Obama discuss Ukraine plan/must visit

 29 March 2014 Last updated at 06:37 Barack Obama is visiting Saudi Arabia following a trip to Europe Russia's Vladimir Putin has telephoned US President Barack Obama to discuss a possible diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

They considered a US plan for a halt to Russia's military build-up on the border with Ukraine, a troop withdrawal in Crimea, and moves to protect the Russian speakers in the region.

Mr Putin stressed the threat posed by "extremists" in Kiev, the Kremlin said.

Russia's annexation of Crimea has sparked international condemnation.

In the hour-long phone call, the US president urged Mr Putin to avoid the build-up of forces on the Russian border.

"President Obama underscored to President Putin that the United States continues to support a diplomatic path... with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis," the White House said in a statement.

"President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty."

Mark Mardell reports: ''It does sound like the Russians are backing away from further conflict''

The two leaders agreed that their foreign ministers would meet soon to discuss the next steps.

The US proposal, developed in consultation with Ukraine and other European countries, includes the deployment of international monitors in Crimea to protect the rights of Russian speakers, and the return of Russian troops there to their bases.

Continue reading the main story Daniel Sandford BBC News, Moscow

If - as the White House insists -President Vladimir Putin was the one who initiated the phone call, then that is clearly a promising sign. It may mean that he thinks the military phase is over, at least for now, and Russia's best interests lie in diplomacy.

But the Kremlin's account of the phone call suggests there is some hard bargaining ahead. President Putin has introduced into the conversation the isolation of the breakaway Trans-Dniester region of Moldova. This should have nothing to do with Ukraine. But it has everything to do with Russia trying to strengthen its control in former Soviet countries.

He has also introduced the idea of international co-operation to deal with what Russia insists are "rampant extremists" threatening people and institutions. After the Trojan horse-like operation in Crimea, the government in Kiev will be very wary of any Russian involvement in Ukraine's internal affairs.

Mr Obama received Mr Putin's call in Saudi Arabia - the latest leg of a trip which also took the US president to Europe where the Ukraine crisis dominated discussions.

The Kremlin said in a statement that the Russian president drew Mr Obama's attention to "the continued rampage of extremists" in Kiev and various regions of Ukraine.

It said these individuals were "committing acts of intimidation towards peaceful residents, government authorities and law enforcement agencies... with impunity".

Mr Putin suggested examining possible steps the global community could take to help stabilise the situation, the Kremlin statement said.

He also expressed concern at an "effective blockade" of Moldova's separatist region of Trans-Dniester, where Russia has troops.

Pro-Russian politicians there have sent a request asking to join the Russian Federation.

Nato fears Russia could use its forces in Trans-Dniester to invade the breakaway region.

President Putin welcomed military leaders to the Kremlin on Friday

Meanwhile in New York, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he had been assured by President Putin that the Russian leader "had no intention to make any military move" into Ukraine.

Russia's reported troop movements near Ukraine's eastern border - described as a "huge military build-up" by Nato - has triggered fears that Mr Putin's interest in Ukraine is not limited to Crimea.

The BBC's North America Editor, Mark Mardell, said Friday night's phone call could indicate tentative progress towards a diplomatic solution - just when fears were growing in the West that Russia could be about to stage an invasion of eastern Ukraine.

The US and its allies have imposed sanctions on members of Mr Putin's inner circle, and threatened to take action to target the Russian economy, in response to Moscow's actions in Crimea.

Moscow formally annexed Crimea after the predominantly ethnic Russian region held a referendum which backed joining Russia.

Kiev and the West condemned the vote as "illegal".

The move followed months of street protests, which led to the overthrow of pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

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Protesters name new Ukraine cabinet/must visit

26 February 2014 Last updated at 20:22  The proposed new government under Arseniy Yatsenyuk is expected to be voted in by MPs on Thursday Ukraine's new interim government has been presented at Kiev's main protest camp, the Maidan, following last week's ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych.

The Maidan council named Arseniy Yatsenyuk to become prime minister. The cabinet - to be voted on by MPs on Thursday - includes leading activists.

Daunting challenges lie ahead, including fixing Ukraine's struggling economy which faces default.

Meanwhile, Mr Yanukovych has been put on the international wanted list.

The fugitive president - whose whereabouts are unclear - is accused of being behind last week's deaths of more than 100 protesters at the hands of riot police in and around the Maidan.

'Welcome to hell'

The Maidan council - made up of protester groups and activists - announced its nominations at a big gathering of protesters at the camp, which is spread over Kiev's Independence Square.

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The Maidan is here to stay. If they (new ministers) betray us, we will pay a visit to every one of them”

End Quote local Maidan commander The council proposed Fatherland Party leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk to lead the cabinet until after early presidential elections on 25 May.

Mr Yatsenyuk - a former speaker of parliament and foreign minister - has been one of the main opposition leaders during the protests which first erupted in late November.

"We are to undertake extremely unpopular steps as the previous government and previous president were so corrupted that the country is in a desperate financial plight," Mr Yatsenyuk told BBC Ukrainian.

"We are on the brink of a disaster and this is the government of political suiciders! So welcome to hell," he added.

It was agreed that acting Defence Minister Arsen Avakov would keep his post. Other nominations include:

The key foreign affairs ministry portfolio goes to Andriy Deshchytsia, who played a key role in rallying diplomats in support of the protestsOverall Maidan commander Andriy Parubiy - who commands huge respect among the protesters - was named candidate for secretary of the National Security and Defence CouncilTetyana Chornovol and Dmytro Bulatov - prominent activists who were badly beaten by unknown attackers earlier this year - are set to head the anti-corruption bureau and the ministry of youth and sports respectively.

"Today, our task is not to die for Ukraine like it was last week. Toda, we must work for Ukraine!" said Ms Chornovol, who is also a well-known investigative journalist.

However, some of the nominations - including that of Mr Avakov - prompted loud booing from the crowd, who said those candidates were not worthy of government posts.

People also chanted "Yarosh! Yarosh!", demanding that the leader of the Right Sector, Dmytro Yarosh, be given a post.

Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov argued from the Maidan stage that without governing structures, the country would descend into "anarchy". But he, too, was interrupted and booed.

"The Maidan is here to stay. If they (new ministers) betray us, we will pay a visit to every one of them," a local Maidan commander warned.

The parliament is now expected to vote in the new government on Thursday.

Washington's warning

Earlier on Wednesday, pro-Kiev and pro-Moscow protesters scuffled in the capital of Ukraine's Crimea region, Simferopol, amid rising tensions there.

The BBC's Daniel Sandford reports from the police cordon separating rival rallies in Simferopol

Only a police cordon separated the rallies - one pro-Russian, the other involving Crimean Tatars and people backing Ukraine's change of government.

One elderly man died, probably from a heart attack, during the confrontation outside parliament.

Crimea - where ethnic Russians are in a majority - was transferred from Russia to Ukraine in 1954.

Also on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Moscow to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.

His comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a snap drill to test the combat readiness of troops in central and western Russia, near the border with Ukraine.

Such checks are not uncommon although the timing is seen as significant, correspondents say.

Russia, along with the US, UK and France, pledged to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine in a memorandum signed in 1994.

Unrest in Ukraine first erupted in November, following Mr Yanukovych's last-minute decision to reject a landmark association and trade deal with the European Union in favour of Russia's bailout offer.

Continue reading the main story 21 Feb: leaves Kiev for Kharkiv on helicopter; stays overnight in state residence22 Feb: flies by helicopter to Donetsk airport; tries to leave on private jet but stopped by border guards; leaves by car for Crimea23 Feb: arrives in Balaklava, Crimea, and stays briefly in a private spa before making aborted attempt to reach Belbek airportDismisses most of his security detail; leaves Balaklava in a three-car convoy with some guards and presidential administration head Andriy KliuyevSource: Acting Interior Minister Arsen AvakovAre you in Ukraine? What is your reaction to the recent events? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and including your contact details.

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