2014-04-15 19:02:14

Military operation against separatists in East Ukraine


(Vatican Radio) Ukrainian acting Olexander Turchynov launched a military action against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, amid international fears of a wider confrontation between Ukraine and neighboring Russia.

Turchynov told Parliament that, in his words, "an anti-terrorist operation" had begun, but, cautioned that the activities were carefully-planned stages, step by step, in eastern Ukraine.

"This morning an anti-terrorist operation has started in the east of the Donetsk region,” he said, speaking slowly. “The aim of this action – I emphasise it once again – is to protect Ukraine’s citizens, to stop terror, to stop criminality, and stop attempts to tear Ukraine apart.”

Witnesses saw Ukrainian armoured vehicles as separatist pro-Russian militants braced for an attack.

Additionally, Ukraine’s security service, SBU, said it had opened a criminal case against officials at an unnamed Russian bank for, quote, “providing financing to terrorists”.

OBAMA CONCERNED

U.S. President Barack Obama urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to use his influence to make separatists in Donetsk and other parts of eastern Ukraine stand down.

And, British Foreign Minister William Hague accused Russia of stirring unrest in eastern Ukraine.

"What is happen over the last few days, in which we believe Russia is absolutely complicit, makes an already dangerous situation even more dangerous," he said.

Yet, Russia has denied Western charges that it is seeks to capture more territory in Ukraine after it already annexed the Crimean Peninsula.

KREMLIN DENIAL

The Kremlin said assertions that Russian forces are present in Eastern Ukraine are “absurd”.

Tensions are also rising between Ukrainians with different views on the future of their country, ahead of next month's presidential elections.

Early Tuesday a Ukrainian presidential candidate, known for his pro-Russia opinions, was beaten by a crowd who condemned a television interview in which he appeared to back Russian intervention.

Standing bare to the waist and with a black eye and scratches to his face, the 44-year-old Oleg Tsarev denied wrongdoing saying he was against Russian forces being sent into Ukraine.

Listen to Stefan Bos report: RealAudioMP3








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