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11 Ukraine Soldiers, 1 Self-Defense Activist Killed in Slaviansk Clashes

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Eleven Ukrainian soldiers and one self-defense activist were killed in clashes Wednesday in the eastern city of Slaviansk, a spokesperson for the “people’s mayor” said Thursday.

MOSCOW, May 15 (RIA Novosti) – Eleven Ukrainian soldiers and one self-defense activist were killed in clashes Wednesday in the eastern city of Slaviansk, a spokesperson for the “people’s mayor” said Thursday.

“By 7:00 pm local time a total of 11 enemies were killed and 34 others were injured. One militiaman died,” spokesperson Stella Khorosheva said Thursday.

Artillery fire was heard on the outskirts of Slaviansk early Thursday morning, witnesses told RIA Novosti. One area resident was injured during the shootout, the spokesperson said, adding that he had been hospitalized.

On Wednesday, federalists in Slaviansk announced that they intended to move from a defensive to an offensive strategy.

Following a regime change in late February, the citizens of the predominantly Russian-speaking southeastern regions of Ukraine, including Slaviansk, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the country’s interim government and called for federalization and referendums on greater autonomy, with rallies sweeping through the region.

Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov launched a special operation last month to crack down on pro-federalization protests. Ukrainian troops encircled Slaviansk in a bid to wrest control from pro-referendum demonstrators and self-defense forces. At least a dozen protesters and civilians have been killed in hostilities in the city so far.

Russia has called the Western-backed military operation against the protesters a “punitive act,” and accused Ukraine’s authorities of waging a war against their own people.

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