At dawn, on Friday, Ukraine forces launched an attack on pro-Russian militants in Slovyansk. Two Ukrainian helicopters were shot down by militants resulting in the death of two of the helicopters' crew members, both sides said.
According to the Ukrainian Security Service, the helicopters were shot down by militants with surface-to-air missiles, further supporting the claim by Kiev and the U.S. that Russia is supplying pro-Russian activist with weapons and supplies.
In an image from Rossia 24, a Russian state television channel, a wounded pilot is seen being carried by two pro-Russian militants.
By evening, the army had gain control of all checkpoints surrounding the city, Ukraine President Oleksander Turchynov said. However, some insurgents say that they still have control of several checkpoints.
Mr. Oleksander also stated that two Ukraine soldiers had been killed - possibly referring to the helicopters' crew members - and that "many" insurgents had been killed, captured, and wounded.
The attack has taken longer than wished for, mostly due to the rebels "hiding behind the citizens", he said.
The attack had died down by midday but the atmosphere remains tense in the city.
Russia has said that this move by Ukraine's military destroyed the Geneva agreements by Kiev, Moscow, and the U.S. to defuse the crisis.
Washington, however, has repeatedly blamed Russia of not obeying its promise in the Geneva convention.
Russia also accused Ukraine of using tanks and helicopters against protesters, a claim which neither Kiev nor pro-Russian activist reported.
30 to 40 Dead in Odessa
Meanwhile in Odessa, a seaport city along the Black Sea and Ukraine's third largest city, clashes broke out between pro-Russian and pro-Unity activist, and police, resulting in at least 40 deaths.
In a youtube video of the clash, militants can be seen inside the city's Trade Union House, the entrance barricaded off, defending themselves from attacks by pro-Unity protesters outside who were throwing molotovs, petrol bombs, other explosive devices, bricks, stones, and anything else they could get their hands on. Smoke rose from the courtyard where several fires - started by the the pro-Unity activists - burned. Explosions could be heard every couple seconds.
The building quickly caught on fire from the molotovs thrown at it. Activist inside the building frantically tried to escape but not all were able to. At least 38 people died either from choking to death due to the smoke, or jumping from the building to escape the flames, police said.
Another youtube video shows the aftermath of the fire. [WARNING GRAPHIC] Burned bodies can be seen inside the building.
Four other men were reportedly killed in clashes between the two activist sides.
There were also reports that pro-Russians fired at pro-Unity activist, resulting in several deaths, before they began attacking the pro-Russians in the Trade Union House.
Other developments
- At a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Friday, Russia's diplomat warned of "catastrophic consequences" if Ukraine continued with its military actions. The U.S. defend Kiev's actions saying they were "proportionate and reasonable".
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