IZYUM, Ukraine - Gunfire erupted on Friday as Ukraine's military forces launched a “large-scale operation” before dawn near the edges of the country’s embattled eastern region. The military attempted to force pro-Russia separatists to free hostages, lay down weapons and relinquish seized government buildings, authorities said.
During the assault on the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, pro-Kremlin separatists shot down two Ukrainian helicopters, killing the pilots on board, the country’s Defense Ministry said. Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the insurgent-appointed "people's mayor" of Sloviansk, was quoted by Russia's Interfax news agency also as saying two helicopters had been shot down Read more...