What can Ukraine do to end its crisis?

Monday saw more violence in Ukraine with the death of four Ukrainian soldiers and ten pro-Russian militants from fighting in separatist controlled city, Slovyansk.

A Ukrainian helicopter was also shot down by pro-Russians.  The crew survived due mostly to the aircraft crashing into a lake.

Heavy weapons were used against the Ukraine forces, Kiev said.

After taking moderate casualties, pro-Russian gunmen fell back to the center of the city as Ukrainian troops continued to surround the Slovyansk, preventing separatist from entering or leaving the city.

According to BBC correspondents, the fighting had died down by Monday evening and an eerie silence hung over the city, which is usually active and bustling with people.

During this momentary lull, pro-Russian activist have begun building barricades in preparation for what they believe will be an invasion by Ukrainian forces.

But now the streets are nearly completely empty and residents remain shut indoors amid the violence and fear that engulfs the city.

More bad than good was most likely achieved by the fighting.  The only gain for Ukraine forces was the Control of one checkpoint from pro-Russian militants.  As for the pro-Russian activist, they are likely to gain more internal and external support as the conflict between them and Kiev intensifies.

During fighting between the two sides at an intersection near Semyonovka, a small village near Slovyansk, 30 year old Irina Boevets was struck in the head by a bullet while watching the fighting from her apartment.  Her husband found her moments later, dead and laying in a pool blood.

Mrs. Boevets wasn't the only civilian watching the fighting.  Many others watched from their houses and apartments.

At the fighting on the highway near Semyonovka, the Ukrainian government says its forces were ambushed by pro-Russian gunmen.  However, witnesses say differently that a Ukraine convoy attacked a newly fortified rebel position and killed many of them.

An attended at a gas station near the highway described laying flat on the floor as explosions rocked the building followed by a spray of bullets.

When interviewed by reports, he said: "I don't know how we can resolve this.  What steps can the Ukrainian people take to stop the shooting?  We have children."