15:47
8.4.2014
BREAKING: Ukraine's State Security Service says pro-Russian separatists have placed explosives in a building they seized in the eastern city of Luhansk and are holding around 60 people against their will.
15:45
8.4.2014
15:07
8.4.2014
New vid - watch the barricades being built up here in #Donetsk - https://t.co/saMOBS2SMY
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) April 8, 2014
15:05
8.4.2014
"If you want to be plugged into the emergency channel of separatists, you have to follow the link http://goodgame.ru/channel/demon_dobra/. It's a radio channel, and it might not seem like much, but actually a lot of coordination happens through this channel."
Pro-Russian separatists leave online trail http://t.co/FIvS6bsH8s @KyivPost #Ukraine #Russia pic.twitter.com/PEj72Os9OD
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) April 8, 2014
14:59
8.4.2014
Short summary of Kerry's remarks from our news desk:
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Russian agents have been sent to eastern Ukraine to create "chaos."
Kerry also said that Russia's actions in eastern Ukraine could be a contrived pretext for military intervention just like in Crimea.
Kerry was testifying before a U.S. Senate panel in Washington on April 8. He said, "Everything that we've seen in the last 48 hours, from the Russian provocateurs and agents operating in eastern Ukraine, tells us that they've been sent there determined to create chaos."
Kerry called these efforts "illegal and illegitimate."
Kerry said the United States and its European allies were willing to impose tough new sanctions on Russian energy, banking and mining entities if Russia continues to infringe on Ukraine's sovereignty.
Kerry also said he would meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and with Ukrainian officials next week in Europe.
Kerry also said that Russia's actions in eastern Ukraine could be a contrived pretext for military intervention just like in Crimea.
Kerry was testifying before a U.S. Senate panel in Washington on April 8. He said, "Everything that we've seen in the last 48 hours, from the Russian provocateurs and agents operating in eastern Ukraine, tells us that they've been sent there determined to create chaos."
Kerry called these efforts "illegal and illegitimate."
Kerry said the United States and its European allies were willing to impose tough new sanctions on Russian energy, banking and mining entities if Russia continues to infringe on Ukraine's sovereignty.
Kerry also said he would meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and with Ukrainian officials next week in Europe.
14:50
8.4.2014
At SFRC Hearing @JohnKerry No one should be fooled and no one is fooled by a contrived military intervention
— Jen Psaki (@statedeptspox) April 8, 2014
14:45
8.4.2014
.@JohnKerry: We will not hesitate to use 21st century tools to hold #Russia accountable for 19th century behavior.
— StateDept Live (@StateDeptLive) April 8, 2014
14:43
8.4.2014
OSCE Secretary General concerned about violence in eastern Ukraine, calls on all sides to opt for peaceful dialogue http://t.co/pb4HAxd8tJ
— OSCE (@OSCE) April 8, 2014
14:29
8.4.2014
This video has emerged showing what appears to be pro-Russian protesters in Kharkiv attacking a police van.
14:16
8.4.2014
Video from Reuters of pro-Russian protesters occupying government buildings in Ukraine's Luhansk: