2014-05-14 10:51:35

Ukraine army ambushed, six killed


(Vatican Radio) Ukrainian officials say six Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another eight were wounded after their armoured column was ambushed by suspected pro-Russian separatists.


Tuesday's attack happened when they approached a bridge near the eastern troubled town of Kramatorsk, Ukraine's Defence Ministry said.

Kramatorsk is in the Donetsk region, one of two regions in eastern Ukraine that declared independence Monday, following controversial referendums.

The Defence Ministry said two of the soldiers died when their armoured car was hit, and four others were killed in an ensuing exchange of fire.


Ukrainian officials said the attackers included at least 30 pro-Russian separatists, who were using grenade launchers and automatic weapons.


WORST ATTACK TO DATE
It was the worst loss of life for regular armed forces since the crisis began.

The bloodshed added to a sense of urgency to avoid civil war. Following talks with the Ukrainian prime minister, European Union President Herman Van Rompuy said upcoming presidential elections were crucial to restore order in Ukraine.


“The holding of free and fair elections on 25 May will be an important step to overcome the crisis,” he said. “I urge all political actors to fully support the process. There must no outside interference.”


He stressed that the EU stood by Ukraine and did not recognise the independence votes in the east.


Van Rompuy criticized Russia for allegedly failing to implement last month's internationally brokered Geneva Agreements, aimed at easing tensions.


RUSSIA PRESSURED
Ukrainian Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of supporting armed separatists, who he called “terrorists”.

“Russia should stop supporting terrorists and call on them to lay down weapons and vacate the buildings. Russia should stop financing them,” he said. “Then there will be peace in Ukraine.”


Moscow has denied wrongdoing and Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has ordered the withdrawal of Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders.


However, the NATO military alliance has made clear that satellite images show as many as 40,000 Russian troops remaining in the area.


Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: RealAudioMP3








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