Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Ukraine Reports Dozens Killed In Slovyansk Fighting

Pro-Russian gunmen carry their weapons in the center of Slovyansk, Ukraine, Tuesday. Gun battles were fought around the city Monday in what has proven the most ambitious government effort to regain control of areas taken by separatists.
Alexander Zemlianichenko
/
AP
Pro-Russian gunmen carry their weapons in the center of Slovyansk, Ukraine, Tuesday. Gun battles were fought around the city Monday in what has proven the most ambitious government effort to regain control of areas taken by separatists.

Ukraine says its military has killed 30 pro-Russian separatists as government forces try to retake Slovyansk and other cities near the border with Russia. At least four Ukrainian soldiers have died, and separatists shot down a helicopter in eastern Ukraine.

The helicopter's "crew escaped because they apparently crashed into a riverbed once it was shot down," NPR's Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson reports.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced the death toll in Slovyansk on Tuesday.

From Donetsk, about 75 miles to the south of Slovyansk, Jessica Golloher filed this report for our Newscast Desk:

"Ukraine's interior ministry is saying that it is continuing its anti-terrorism campaign to root out pro-Russian demonstrators here in eastern Ukraine, with Arsen Avakov posting on his Facebook page that around 800 demonstrators are using large-caliber weapons and mortars in an attempt to push back Kiev's troops.

"This after gunbattles and explosions could be heard north of Donetsk in the pro-Russian stronghold of Slovyansk. The West and Ukraine say Russia is stoking dissent here. Moscow denies the claims and says Kiev needs to pull its troops back in order for there to be dialogue."

The airport in Donetsk was shut down Tuesday, though officials did not provide a reason. From Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, NPR's Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson spoke about the closure on Morning Edition.

Ukraine Reports Dozens Killed In Slovyansk Fighting

"This probably has to do with the May 9 Victory Day, which is the celebration of the Soviet victory over the Nazis in World War II," Soraya says. "That is expected to drive up more tensions, and they don't want more people showing up to agitate."

In addition to that date, two others are approaching that will surely increase tensions. On May 25, Ukraine will hold presidential elections, and on May 11, separatists plan to hold a referendum to decide whether to break away and join Russia, following the path of Crimea.

As we reported Monday, Ukraine has also "dispatched a special police unit to try to control the deadly clashes in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa."

Update at 6:30 p.m. ET:

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ruled out more talks to resolve the crisis, saying there's not much use since an April accord between the U.S., EU and Russia was never implemented.

"I don't think [another meeting] would have any added value — we would just go round in circles," Lavrov said.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Bill Chappell is a writer and editor on the News Desk in the heart of NPR's newsroom in Washington, D.C.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information