Ukraine: Ukrainian forces retake key rebel stronghold of Sloviansk in east
A woman cries near her burning house after shelling in the city of Slovyansk, Donetsk Region, eastern Ukraine, last month. The city of 100,000 has now been retaken from pro-Russian separatists. (AP)
Ukrainian troops have retaken the key stronghold of Slovyansk from pro-Russian forces in a sign that Kiev may be regaining control over the country’s east, months after insurgents swept through the region establishing a self-proclaimed independent republic.
The country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, and a spokesman for the rebels confirmed that the city of 100,000 was back in government hands after a night of fighting. Poroshenko ordered his troops to hoist the Ukrainian flag over Slovyansk’s city council building.
The offensive follows the collapse of a 10-day ceasefire that may have allowed Kiev’s forces to regroup. Even so, Poroshenko said Friday he was ready to conduct another round of talks between representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the rebels, according to The Associated Press.