Separatists kill seven Ukrainian soldiers -- defense minister
- 10 years ago
The eastern Ukrainian city of Krasnoarmeisk was quiet on Tuesday -- a stark contrast to the past weekend's separatist referendum on self-rule.
A somber ceremony was held for a man shot on Sunday, in violence that mourners blame on Ukrainian authorities.
Ukraine's acting defense minister reported more lives lost Tuesday.
Seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and seven wounded when their armored column was ambushed by pro-Russian separatists in the east.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) METRESHKIVSKY OLEKSIY, SPOKESMAN FOR UKRAINIAN GENERAL STAFF, SAYING:
"The first shot came from an RPG which hit the engine of the APC and the battle started. The fight went on for one hour. As a result 6 paratroopers were killed and 9 were wounded. Two of the nine had concussions."
The seventh died on the way to the hospital.
It's the heaviest loss of life for government forces in a single clash, since fighting started in the east.
In an attempt to defuse the crisis,
A somber ceremony was held for a man shot on Sunday, in violence that mourners blame on Ukrainian authorities.
Ukraine's acting defense minister reported more lives lost Tuesday.
Seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and seven wounded when their armored column was ambushed by pro-Russian separatists in the east.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) METRESHKIVSKY OLEKSIY, SPOKESMAN FOR UKRAINIAN GENERAL STAFF, SAYING:
"The first shot came from an RPG which hit the engine of the APC and the battle started. The fight went on for one hour. As a result 6 paratroopers were killed and 9 were wounded. Two of the nine had concussions."
The seventh died on the way to the hospital.
It's the heaviest loss of life for government forces in a single clash, since fighting started in the east.
In an attempt to defuse the crisis,