17:27
28.4.2014
Some more details of the violence in Donetsk are now trickling out on the wires:
Some reports said the assailants were shouting "Russia, Russia!" as they attacked the rally.
The demonstrators scattered after the violence broke out, with assailants reportedly chasing protesters down side streets after the rally dispersed. Reports said police attempted to hold the pro-Russia militants back but then largely stood aside as dozens of protesters were beaten.
Donetsk is one of string of cities in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russia separatists have seized government buildings.
More than a dozen people have been reported wounded after pro-Russian separatists attacked a rally in support of Ukrainian unity in Donetsk today.
Media reports said dozens of men dressed in military fatigues and wielding baseball bats and iron bars attacked the rally of some 2,000 people.
Blasts were heard. City officials said that, according to preliminary information, at least 14 people were injured. Correspondents said many of the victims had head injuries.
Media reports said dozens of men dressed in military fatigues and wielding baseball bats and iron bars attacked the rally of some 2,000 people.
Blasts were heard. City officials said that, according to preliminary information, at least 14 people were injured. Correspondents said many of the victims had head injuries.
Some reports said the assailants were shouting "Russia, Russia!" as they attacked the rally.
The demonstrators scattered after the violence broke out, with assailants reportedly chasing protesters down side streets after the rally dispersed. Reports said police attempted to hold the pro-Russia militants back but then largely stood aside as dozens of protesters were beaten.
Donetsk is one of string of cities in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russia separatists have seized government buildings.
17:32
28.4.2014
Pro-Unity-Rally in #Donetsk was sad to watch. >1000 peaceful protesters attacked by ≈100 youngsters. Several injured. Police did nothing
— Ann-Dorit Boy (@anndoritboy) April 28, 2014
17:36
28.4.2014
Who are the Russians on US sanctions list? http://t.co/TIKbfALrU5
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 28, 2014
17:37
28.4.2014
Unlikely benefit of #Donetsk reporting-running into #Arsenal hero 'he broke his leg but he'll be back' Eduardo pic.twitter.com/Az2gZQoSda
— Barnaby Phillips (@BarnabyPhillips) April 28, 2014
17:42
28.4.2014
Pro-Russian activists attack participants of rally for united #Ukraine in #Donetsk with baseball bats http://t.co/dqX7h0HR6V
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) April 28, 2014
17:43
28.4.2014
Witnesses in Donetsk: “absolute brutality” as pro-Rus. separatists attacked pro-Kiev demonstrators (Pic @RT_com) #CBC pic.twitter.com/vO3WgmdYXn
— Derek Stoffel (@DerekStoffelCBC) April 28, 2014
17:54
28.4.2014
Oleg Zhelnakov, 53, marched for #Ukraine's unity in #Donetsk today. He was beaten by thugs shouting "#Russia." pic.twitter.com/sF0ioeOwES
— Lucian Kim (@Lucian_Kim) April 28, 2014
18:10
28.4.2014
According to the news wires, it seems that the latest U.S. and EU sanctions are already having a knock-on effect:
The Standard & Poor's (S & P) ratings agency has cut the credit ratings of state-controlled Russian energy companies Rosneft and Gazprom to BBB- from BBB.
Today's S & P decision, downgrading the Russian companies to a notch above junk rating followed an earlier announcement from the United States that it was imposing new sanctions on Russian officials, including Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin.
Rosneft shares dropped more than 1 percent after the news was reported.
Sechin later dismissed the U.S. sanctions against him saying it would not harm his company's cooperation with foreign partners, including U.S. companies.
British energy group BP said today that it remained committed to its investment in Rosneft despite the sanctions.
The sanctions apply only to Sechin but analysts said the measures could hinder Rosneft's activities.
Today's S & P decision, downgrading the Russian companies to a notch above junk rating followed an earlier announcement from the United States that it was imposing new sanctions on Russian officials, including Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin.
Rosneft shares dropped more than 1 percent after the news was reported.
Sechin later dismissed the U.S. sanctions against him saying it would not harm his company's cooperation with foreign partners, including U.S. companies.
British energy group BP said today that it remained committed to its investment in Rosneft despite the sanctions.
The sanctions apply only to Sechin but analysts said the measures could hinder Rosneft's activities.
18:52
28.4.2014
Another update from our news desk on the captured OSCE observers in Slovyansk. Moscow appears to be suggesting that those who sent the observers to Ukraine were at fault for their abduction:
The Russian ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it had been "extremely irresponsible" to send OSCE military observers to eastern Ukraine, where they were captured by pro-Russian rebels last week.
Andrei Kelin also said releasing the seven European monitors would be a "good step" towards deescalating the crisis.
He said that Moscow was also taking "some steps" to secure the observers release. He gave no further details.
Kelin spoke to reporters after an emergency OSCE meeting on April 28 in Vienna.
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern city of Slovyansk captured eight OSCE observers on April 15. One has been released on medical grounds. The others are still being held, described by the separatists' leader as "prisoners of war."
Germany has urged Moscow to use its influence on the separatists to secure the release of the observers.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on any UN members with influence to work to secure the immediate release of the OSCE observers.
Andrei Kelin also said releasing the seven European monitors would be a "good step" towards deescalating the crisis.
He said that Moscow was also taking "some steps" to secure the observers release. He gave no further details.
Kelin spoke to reporters after an emergency OSCE meeting on April 28 in Vienna.
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern city of Slovyansk captured eight OSCE observers on April 15. One has been released on medical grounds. The others are still being held, described by the separatists' leader as "prisoners of war."
Germany has urged Moscow to use its influence on the separatists to secure the release of the observers.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on any UN members with influence to work to secure the immediate release of the OSCE observers.
19:49
28.4.2014
VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky has posted a dispatch about his recent abduction by pro-Russia separatist on YouTube: