Ukraine hits back at pro-Russian militia as clashes break out at airport

Ukraine has taken its first military action against a pro-Russian uprising in the east as government forces repelled about 30 gunmen at an airport, beginning what the president called an “anti-terrorist operation” to restore authority in the region.

Ukraine hits back at pro-Russian militia as clashes break out at airport

Ukraine has taken its first military action against a pro-Russian uprising in the east as government forces repelled about 30 gunmen at an airport, beginning what the president called an “anti-terrorist operation” to restore authority in the region.

The central government has so far been unable to rein in the insurgents, who it says are being stirred up by paid operatives from Russia and have seized numerous government facilities in at least nine eastern cities to press their demands for broader autonomy and closer ties with Russia.

Complicating the political landscape, many local security forces have switched to their side.

The clashes came at Kramatorsk airport, south of the city of Slavyansk, which has increasingly come under control of the pro-Russian gunmen who seized it last weekend.

The sequence of events was mired in confusion amid contradictory official claims.

The commander of the Ukrainian operation, General Vasyl Krutov, speaking outside Kramatorsk airport, said his men thwarted an attack by fighters in green military uniforms without insignia who tried to storm the facility in the late afternoon.

After the armed stand-off, hundreds of local people surrounded the airport in response to rumours that government troops were planning to launch a military operation in the city of Kramatorsk. Some in the crowd attempted to enter the military facility, prompting Ukrainian troops to fire bursts of warning shots.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Gen Krutov came out to speak to the protesters but was attacked. After a tussle in which his hat was knocked to the ground, he took refuge in the airport.

There were conflicting reports of casualties.

Yury Zhadobin, co-ordinator of a pro-Russian defence force, said two people were slightly injured and were taken to hospital. Russian media, without sourcing, claimed anywhere from four to 11 casualties at the airport. Ukraine’s government said there were no casualties, adding that Ukrainian forces took an unspecified number of militiamen prisoner.

While Gen Krutov spoke of repelling an attack, the new government in Kiev said its forces had recaptured the airport from militiamen.

Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told parliament: “I just got a call from the Donetsk region: Ukrainian special forces have liberated the airport in the city of Kramatorsk from terrorists.

“I’m convinced that there will not be any terrorists left soon in Donetsk and other regions and they will find themselves in the dock – this is where they belong.”

Hours earlier, Mr Turchynov had announced the start of what what he called “an anti-terrorist operation” against the pro-Russian insurgents.

He gave few details, saying only that it would be conducted in a “responsible and balanced” manner to “defend the citizens of Ukraine, to stop terror, stop crime and stop attempts to tear our country into pieces”.

In Washington, the Obama administration gave its tacit support to the Ukrainian military action.

While the use of force “is not a preferred option”, White House spokesman Jay Carney said, “the Ukrainian government has a responsibility to provide law and order. And these provocations in eastern Ukraine are creating a situation in which the government has to respond”.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing the Ukrainian military operation, saying it was “criminal to fight with your own people as they speak out for their legal rights”. The ministry called on Russia’s “international partners” to condemn the new Ukrainian government’s actions.

What was clear is that the area bordering Russia is getting increasingly armed and unstable.

Russia has tens of thousands of troops stationed along its border with Ukraine, raising fears that Moscow might use the instability in the predominantly Russian-speaking east as a pretext for an invasion.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

French legislators ponder law to ban discrimination based on a person’s hair French legislators ponder law to ban discrimination based on a person’s hair
China ends tariffs on Australian wine as relations between countries thaw China ends tariffs on Australian wine as relations between countries thaw
US military drains giant wartime fuel tanks which had poisoned water supply US military drains giant wartime fuel tanks which had poisoned water supply
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited