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.
Ukraine’s army took control over #Slovyansk TV-center – separatist mayor tells @ronzheimer
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 2, 2014
#Slovyansk nowRT @ronzheimer: @MaximEristavi And railway station as well, he just confirmed
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 2, 2014
Pic allegedly shows a pilot from Ukrainian helicopter, shot down by separatists in #Slovyanskvia @novostidnuapic.twitter.com/qKD79ans5Y
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 2, 2014
These men may be responsible for shooting down Ukr helicopters in #Slovyansk – Ukraine’s MoDhttp://t.co/CAnu5Suh6N pic.twitter.com/02DT7YOZ51
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 2, 2014
Mood in #Slovyansk is tense, but it’s still a waiting phase. Ukrainian troops took TV tower in Andreevka, seem to be tightening noose
— Noah Sneider (@NoahSneider) May 2, 2014
Ukrainian nat’l guard and police have taken checkpoint on outskirts of #slovyansk. Met by crowd of hostile locals pic.twitter.com/40TV1o0fKz
— Noah Sneider (@NoahSneider) May 2, 2014
Here are videos of the pro-Russians shooting down the helicopters and another where they claim they are simply peaceful protesters.
“You won’t f*cking take us!”Building barricades in #Slavyansk.”We’re peaceful people”..except for those dudes w/guns https://t.co/03jyf9NCN7
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) May 2, 2014