Ukraine: Fatal Clashes As Protests Spread

Casualties are reported on both sides as security forces launch an "anti-terrorism operation" against pro-Russian activists.

Pro-Russian armed men stand guard while pro-Russian protesters gather near the police headquarters in Slaviansk

Video: Ukraine: Fatal Clashes In Security Crackdown

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An armed man gestures in front of the police headquarters in Slaviansk

Former UK Ambassador to Russia Sir Tony Brenton and Editor of Prospect Magazine Bronwen Maddox tell Sky News the West has been "incompetent" in its response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Video: West 'Incompetent' In Ukraine Crisis

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Deadly gun battles have broken out in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk as separatists seize government buildings in at least one other city in the region.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said one officer was killed and another five injured as security forces attempted to retake occupied security buildings.

In a statement on his Facebook page Mr Avakov said there was also an "unidentifiable number" of casualties among the protesters, who are being supported by around 1,000 civilians.

He earlier announced the government had launched an "anti-terrorism operation," urging residents in the city to stay indoors.

An armed man speaks to pro-Russian protesters at the police headquarters in Slaviansk
Hundreds of civilians have come out in support of the activists

Russia's RIA news agency confirmed that at least one activist had been killed in the raid. 

Separatists are currently guarding barricades outside the occupied buildings and have set up checkpoints on roads leading into the Slavyansk.

Sky’s Katie Stallard, who is in the city, said the centre remains relatively calm and reports of fatalities were thought to be linked to clashes well into the outskirts.

Ukraine Map V2
Slavyansk and Kramatorsk are among the latest cities to be hit by unrest

She reported that civilians, some of them elderly, have been stood at one checkpoint since late last night to act as "human shields" to protect pro-Russian protesters from Ukrainian security forces.

Elsewhere local media is reporting that protesters have seized the mayor's office in the eastern city of Mariupol.

One report said activists entered the building unhindered after around 1,000 people took part in an independence rally.

It said barricades were erected around the office and the Ukrainian flag removed.

A pro-Russian protester holds a shield at a check point, with black smoke from burning tyres rising above, in Slaviansk
Protesters are burning tyres at checkpoints to deter police

If confirmed that would bring the total number of cities where administrative buildings are under the control of separatists to five.

Masked men, wearing unmarked camouflage uniforms and carrying special-issue assault rifles, seized the local police headquarters in Slavyansk on Saturday.

They later took control of the security service building in the city, which lies some 90 miles from the Russian border.

Also on Saturday gunmen seized a police station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk following a shoot-out.

Other groups began their occupation of security buildings in Donetsk and Luhansk last weekend.

Protesters in the region, which has a large ethnic Russian population, hope to follow in the footsteps of the Crimean Peninsula and force a referendum on joining the Russian Federation.

People gesture while pro-Russian protesters gather at the police headquarters, with a military helicopter flying above, in Slaviansk
Military helicopters are currently surveying the area

The area was a strong bastion of support for ousted President and Kremlin ally Viktor Yanukovych and many residents fear they will be suppressed under the new Western-friendly interim government.

Ukraine has accused Russia of orchestrating the unrest in order to justify expanding its military control beyond Crimea.

Ukraine's interior minister said he considered the attacks an "act of aggression by Russia".

However Russian President Vladimir Putin strenuously denies stoking tensions.

Moscow has also warned that any Ukrainian military aggression against ethnic Russians will derail top-level talks on the crisis scheduled to take place in Geneva next week.

Pro-Russian armed men stand guard while pro-Russian protesters gather near the police headquarters, while a military helicopter (not pictured) flies above, in Slaviansk
Separatists are now holding government buildings in at least four cities

Western leaders have expressed concern that the latest unrest strongly echoes the events which led to Russia's annexation of Crimea last month following an overwhelmingly-backed referendum.

The United States has pledged its "strong support" for Ukraine's new government and urged Russia to deescalate tensions.

It has also called on Moscow to withdraw its troops from Ukraine's eastern border, where Nato claims up 40,000 soldiers are now stationed.

The EU and US have imposed a number of sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian individuals, but are yet to directly target Russia's economy.

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