Europe - Ukraine troops launch assault on rebel stronghold, take checkpoint - France 24

Europe - Ukraine troops launch assault on rebel stronghold, take checkpoint - France 24

Ukrainian troops on Thursday launched an assault on the eastern
rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, taking control of a checkpoint north of
the city and prompting rebels to evacuate civilians from the occupied
city hall and take up defensive positions.

According to an AFP journalist, gunfire was heard
after at least five Ukrainian armoured personnel carriers had driven
past an abandoned rebel roadblock to take up position at the entry to
the town.

A spokeswoman for the separatists, Stella Khorocheva, told AFP that
all civilians had been ordered out of the insurgent-held town hall.

"The armed men handling the defence of the town hall will remain," she said.