Pro-Russian rebels free hostages amid violent unrest in Ukraine

(Vatican Radio) Pro-Russian rebels in the east freed seven European military observers on Saturday after holding them hostage for eight days, while Kiev pressed on with its biggest military operation so far to reclaim rebel-held territory in the area.
At least 42 people were killed in street battles between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine that ended with dozens of pro-Russian protesters incinerated in a burning building.
On Saturday morning, people placed flowers near the burnt-out doors of the trade union building, lighting candles and putting up the yellow, white and red flag of the city. About 2,000 pro-Russian protesters outside the burnt-out building chanted "Odessa is a Russian city".
The riot in the Black Sea port of Odessa was by far the worst incident in Ukraine since a February uprising that ended with a pro-Russian president fleeing the country.
The battle comes on the same day that Kiev launched its biggest push yet to reassert its control over separatist areas in the east where armed pro-Russian rebels have proclaimed a "People's Republic of Donetsk".
The rebels there aim to hold a referendum on May 11 on secession from Ukraine, similar to one staged in March in Ukraine's Crimea region which was then seized and annexed by Russia.