13:53
1.5.2014
The Russian Foreign Minister warned in a statement today that any plans by Ukrainian security forces to carry out operations in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have seized administrative buildings in more than a dozen cities, would have "catastrophic consequences."
13:59
1.5.2014
This is about the most complete video that captures the storming of the prosecutor's office in Donetsk, where police caches were raided and the police stripped of their equipment and forced to leave through a gauntlet of separatist thugs. (h/t @MaximEristavi)
14:02
1.5.2014
14:03
1.5.2014
14:21
1.5.2014
14:47
1.5.2014
From Reuters, Unian, and Grani.ru via our newsroom:
Small groups have held unsanctioned demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, supporting Ukraine and criticizing the Kremlin's actions in the neighboring country.
The May 1 action in Moscow consisted of only seven people walking along one of the main streets in the city center holding a large Ukrainian flag and singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
Members of the Interior Ministry special police unit (OMON) broke up the demonstration and took four of the demonstrators into custody.
In St. Petersburg another demonstration in support of democracy in Russia and Ukraine was held the same.
Reports did not specify how many people attended that rally.
One resident of the city, whose name was not given, said "I support Ukraine and as an honest citizen of my country I cannot approve of what is happening [in Russia] right now."
The May 1 action in Moscow consisted of only seven people walking along one of the main streets in the city center holding a large Ukrainian flag and singing the Ukrainian national anthem.
Members of the Interior Ministry special police unit (OMON) broke up the demonstration and took four of the demonstrators into custody.
In St. Petersburg another demonstration in support of democracy in Russia and Ukraine was held the same.
Reports did not specify how many people attended that rally.
One resident of the city, whose name was not given, said "I support Ukraine and as an honest citizen of my country I cannot approve of what is happening [in Russia] right now."
14:56
1.5.2014
Interfax reports that Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes, who was flown to Israel for treatment after he was shot in the back in an apparent assassination attempt, has regained consciousness.
15:11
1.5.2014
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry accuses armed separatists of "hiding behind civilians."
15:17
1.5.2014
As I warned in an earlier tweet on a claim by Interfax, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) denies the report that separatists holding three SBU officers released two of the men in a prisoner swap. The three SBU employees were shown in grim circumstances in video released last week.
15:20
1.5.2014
Broadcasts of the Ukrainian Channel One have been replaced in Luhansk by Russia 24 programming, our Ukrainian Service reports.