Ukraine's interior minister says three pro-Russian protesters have been killed near Mariupol in eastern Ukraine.
Arsen Avakov issued the statement on his Facebook page on April 17.
Avakov also said 13 activists had been wounded and 63 detained.
Avakov said the deaths occurred as Ukrainian troops repelled an overnight attack on their base. He said some 300 people had mounted the attack using guns and petrol bombs.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry had said in an earlier statement that a crowd of armed protesters arrived at the base and demanded that National Guard troops back their revolt against the country's new pro-Western government.
WATCH: Three pro-Russian militants killed in Mariupol.
The incident comes ahead of talks later on April 17 in Geneva on the Ukraine crisis involving the United States, Ukraine, Russia, and the European Union.
Arsen Avakov issued the statement on his Facebook page on April 17.
Avakov also said 13 activists had been wounded and 63 detained.
Avakov said the deaths occurred as Ukrainian troops repelled an overnight attack on their base. He said some 300 people had mounted the attack using guns and petrol bombs.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry had said in an earlier statement that a crowd of armed protesters arrived at the base and demanded that National Guard troops back their revolt against the country's new pro-Western government.
WATCH: Three pro-Russian militants killed in Mariupol.
The incident comes ahead of talks later on April 17 in Geneva on the Ukraine crisis involving the United States, Ukraine, Russia, and the European Union.
