Ukraine Army Takes Nine Sloviansk Checkpoints, But Pro-Russia Forces Shoot Down Helicopters

Ukraine launched another military offensive to retake Sloviansk, which is held by pro-Russian forces. The Ukrainian army captured three checkpoints outside of the city on April 24.

Early Friday morning Ukraine Defense Minister Arsen Avakov said the army seized nine checkpoints around the city, but did not mention if these were in addition to the three captured last weekend.

Pro-Russian forces shot down four helicopters, but the defense ministry said only two helicopters were taken down. The ministry also said “two soldiers were killed and several more wounded. Ukraine’s state security service confirmed only one Mi-24 chopper was taken down, with one pilot killed and the other taken captive.” Pro-Russians said they lost one person and one was wounded. 

German reporter Paul Ronzheimer reported that the Ukrainian army took over the TV station and railway. He was one of many journalists to document the seizure on social media.

Here are videos of the pro-Russians shooting down the helicopters and another where they claim they are simply peaceful protesters.