Deadly Clashes Leave 5 Deaths in E Ukraine, Moscow Outraged
Local Editor
Five people have been killed in a gunfight in Slavyansk, a city in eastern Ukraine held by anti-government protesters. The fatalities include three protesters and two attackers, who are believed to be from the Right Sector paramilitary.
The deaths came after a night attack on a protester checkpoint on the outskirts of the city. Four cars drove by the checkpoint and opened fire at the local residents manning it, killing two people and seriously injuring several others.
The checkpoint was in the control of 26 civilians armed with bats. Their lack of firearms was due to a so-called "Easter truce" announced by both the Kiev authorities and the protest leaders to de-escalate tension.
Donetsk region's interior ministry confirmed fatalities in the gunfight, but said it has information on only three deaths - two among the local residents and one among the attackers. The identity of the attacker is yet to be established, the law enforcers said.
The protesters captured two of the attackers' four cars, which were damaged in the gunfight and later torched by protesters angry over the deaths of their fellow Slavyansk residents.
Later on Sunday the protesters claimed they had detained one of the perpetrators who confessed he was from the Right Sector.
In a separate incident in central Slavyansk, two people have been injured overnight, after a group of unidentified gunmen fired at them. Two young men were shot in the leg after they ignored an order to stop and tried to flee, RIA Novosti reported.
Protesters in eastern Ukraine have captured government buildings across the Donetsk region over the past two weeks. They call the authorities in Kiev illegitimate and are demanding a referendum to vote on autonomy for their region. Similar calls are coming from other eastern Ukrainian regions.
In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed outrage over the deadly gun battle of Slavyansk. It said Kiev must deliver on its commitment to de-escalate the violence.
Moscow condemned the violence on Sunday and said it indicates Kiev's unwillingness to implement the Geneva agreement.
"The Russian side is outraged with the provocation, which indicates that Kiev is unwilling to put in check and disarm nationalists and extremists," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that Moscow "insists on the strict implementation by the Ukrainian side of its commitments to de-escalate the situation in southeastern Ukraine."
In turn, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Russia on Sunday to "use necessary influence" on the protesters in Slavyansk "to vacate illegitimately seized government buildings, unblock roads [near the city entrances] and surrender arms to prevent bloodshed."
The ministry added in a statement that an investigation into the Saturday night shooting has been launched. "Meanwhile, it is surprising that Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rushed to comment [on the situation], bringing charges while having no official data. Such hasty conclusions mean that they are either unfounded, or based on misinterpreted evaluations made by their own agents on the spot," said the ministry.
Kiev said the Russian side has to be reminded about "promises made in Geneva."
In accord with the Geneva document, Ukraine must launch the disarmament of all paramilitary groups. However, there have been no steps taken yet in disarming the Right Sector, which is widely blamed for the violence in the country.
The Geneva document agreed on Thursday after marathon negotiations is aimed at defusing the Ukrainian political crisis. In addition to disarming paramilitary groups, it provides for an amnesty for protesters not involved in violent crimes and preparation of constitutional reform to provide greater autonomy for Ukrainian regions.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
