Ukrainian Troops begin Special Operation in Slavyansk

Local Editor

The Ukrainian army has reportedly begun a special operation against pro-autonomy activists in the eastern town of Slavyansk. The city is now blocked by the Ukrainian military, with 20 helicopters used to crack down on self-defense forces.

Two more helicopters have been shot down by self-defense forces, according to reports. Earlier, two helicopters were reportedly shot down, with one pilot dead and another one captured, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

One protester was killed, and another one injured during the attack on the city, according to the self-defense forces.
Also, a car with a journalist has reportedly been shot as the Kiev army seems to be blocking all entrances to the city - and even Kramatorsk which is 19 kilometers away.

The Slavyansk self-defense leader also said that helicopters are shooting down at the city with missiles, but that there have been no reports of damage, Interfax reported.
Slavyansk self-defense forces told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian military has attacked several positions.
"The attack is targeting a few checkpoints at the same time. A few armored vehicles and airborne combat vehicles arrived and airborne troops descended from the helicopters and attacked the checkpoints. Some forces were dropped off around the train station, where we didn't have anyone," RIA Novosti quoted the press secretary of the Slavyansk self-defense units as saying.

Early Friday morning, a city siren - which is designed to warn local residents of a Ukrainian military attack - went off and shots were heard. A few minutes later, the siren stopped and everything calmed down, according to reports.

A few of the activists were injured during the attack, Interfax cited the city's self-defense unit as saying.

A commander at one of the checkpoints told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian army has taken control of one of the roadblocks on the outskirts of Slavyansk, as well as the city's TV broadcasting center. The Ukrainian army is putting up artillery around the captured TV station in Slavyansk, a city administration spokesman said, as cited by RIA Novosti.

A police station was reportedly seized, while the city center remains quiet, RT's Paula Slier reported from Ukraine. Several armored vehicles have been seen outside Slavyansk, she added.

Thick smoke was spotted on the outskirts of the city, where the roadblocks are located.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team