Ukrainian troops begin military operation to 'destroy foreign invader'

Kiev confirms deployment of troops outside Slavyansk in effort to wrest control of city from pro-Russian elements

Alec Luhn in Slavyansk and agencies

Ukrainian military and special forces gathered outside Slavyansk on Tuesday in the first real show of force since Kiev announced an "anti-terrorist" operation at the weekend aimed at wresting the city from armed protesters and unmarked soldiers reported to be Russian.

Not long after the Ukrainian operation was launched, Russia's state news agency reported that two pro-Russian insurgents had been wounded in a skirmish near Kramatorsk airport, outside the city of Slavyansk. Heavy gunfire was heard by journalists assembled outside the airport compound. Later the same agency reported that four insurgents had been killed in the clashes - reports that have not been confirmed elsewhere but were referred to by the Russian foreign ministry who said they were "deeply" concerning.

RIA-Novosti reported that the skirmish began when Ukrainian soldiers in an armoured personnel carrier started talking with separatists occupying the site. It did not give any details about who started shooting.

The commander of the anti-terrorist operation, General Vasily Krotov, confirmed to journalists that government forces had seized an airfield in Kramatorsk. As he spoke, four helicopters arrived and flew off loaded with special forces troops.

A large armoured column and special forces moved towards Slavyansk – seven buses filled with 100 paratroopers, 20 tanks and armoured personnel carriers moved within 40 kilometres (25 miles) of the city and set up a checkpoint to control traffic leading to the economically depressed industrial city of 100,000 that has been under effective control of separatist gunmen since Saturday.

"They must be warned that if they do not lay down their arms, they will be destroyed," Krutov said, claiming that the wave of unrest in Ukraine's east was being led by Russian forces. He said more than 300 Russian forces had infiltrated neighbouring Luhansk region on Monday.

"We need to destroy this foreign invader," Krutov said. "We have among these spies Russian military, professionals with long experience in all sorts of conflicts."

Asked if another ultimatum would be given to those who had seized buildings, Krutov said that would be "too humanitarian". He said civilian casualties were possible but his forces would try to "make sure not one innocent person suffers".

"Unfortunately, we face a difficult situation because those realising their plan are hiding behind human shields," he continued, apparently referring to the many pro-Russian locals who have taken part in building takeovers. "Some of them are cynically working toward their own ends, but many are under the influence of propaganda."

Russian channels have painted the new Kiev government as dominated by nationalists who want to crack down on Russian speakers in the east. The Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, said on Tuesday he hoped Kiev had "enough brains" to prevent a further escalation of the conflict.

"Ukraine is on the brink of civil war and it is scary," he told a news conference after a meeting with his counterparts from Belarus and Kazakhstan.

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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/ukrainian-troops-anti-terrorist-operation-kiev