Ukraine Anti-Terrorism Leader: 'It Is in Fact a War'

Vasyl Krutov, the head of Ukraine’s anti-terrorist center, confirmed there was heavy fighting in Kramatorsk, a town 10 miles from Sloviansk.

“There is gunfire and clashes around Kramatorsk … What we are facing in the Donetsk region and in the eastern regions is not just some kind of short-lived uprising, it is in fact a war.”

In a later statement he added that Ukrainian forces have retaken the security service headquarters in Kramatorsk.

The Kyiv Post‘s editor Christopher Miller traveled from Sloviansk to Kramatorsk on Saturday morning and documented the trip on his Twitter account. He encountered many checkpoints taken over by the Ukrainian National Guard.

#Ukraine Natl Guard- and Interior troops-controlled checkpoint 20 km north of #Sloviansk. All cars checked. pic.twitter.com/nUXMK9ymIB

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Spent cartridges at checkpoint controlled by #Ukraine Interior and Natl Guard forces 20km north of #Sloviansk pic.twitter.com/D0chR4DPPV

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Burning pro-Russian rebel barricade in #Sloviansk now. Scene of apparent shootout. Trucks riddled with bullet holes. pic.twitter.com/eFGAPoem7g

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Mischa (not pictured) says #Ukrainian forces stormed rebel checkpoint a little more than an hour ago. Rebuilding now. pic.twitter.com/A9DyjmOVtu

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

As he entered Kramatorsk, the sirens were blaring and he noticed a tense atmosphere.

Sirens sounding in the distance… Everyone on edge here. pic.twitter.com/wdWgFxvwJd

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Trucks filled with explosive material prove not to make great barricades after all. pic.twitter.com/0ShjeKihPK

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Central #Kramatorsk. Four vehicles burned out pic.twitter.com/UGKDGuYsp1

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Shells of burned-out trolley buses here in #Kramatorsk pic.twitter.com/n9gfpckSZ4

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

#Kramatorsk kids collecting bullets, finding them by the handful after this morning’s shootout. pic.twitter.com/LG5dBt86hE

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Ukrainian soldier from #Dnipropetrovsk 25th airborne brigade manning #Sloviansk/#Kramatorsk checkpoint. pic.twitter.com/cjGpHluuPE

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Correction: 3 men detained near #Solviansk checkpoint nabbed by members of SBU “Alpha” group, in black, captain says. pic.twitter.com/5FHWHAyY9Y

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 3, 2014

Freelance journalist Maxim Erivasti tweeted a video that allegedly shows Ukrainian soldiers entering Kramatorsk and the locals were not happy.

Locals and other journalists took to Twitter to share pictures of the Ukrainian army in Kramatorsk.

Game Over terrorists! The Ukrainian army enters Kramatorsk en masse.No more talking into surrender! pic.twitter.com/BrV99EK4iU @MiddleEast_BRK

— WeAreUkraine (@WeAreUkraine) May 3, 2014

ppl of #Kramatorsk r watching now pic.twitter.com/MN8CtQizrT

— Nadia Nadia (@NadezhdaAle) May 3, 2014

Russia media is reporting deaths in Kramatorsk, but there are no official confirmations. Breitbart News will update when more information is available.