CCTV9英语新闻：乌特种部队清除东部亲俄示威者（在线收听）

Ukrainian forces launched an operation Thursday to drive pro-Russia insurgents out of occupied buildings in the country’s tumultuous east. The country's Interior Ministry confirmed that up to five pro-Russian insurgents were killed as government troops destroyed three separatist checkpoints near the city of Slavyansk. Earlier the same day, pro-Russian activists said two fighters were killed in separate fighting at a checkpoint in the village of Khrestyshche, ten kilometers away from Slavyansk. 

Smoke billows from burning tires around a Ukrainian special forces soldier
at a checkpoint following an attack by Ukrainian troops outside Slovyansk,
Ukraine, Thursday, April 24, 2014.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Arsen Ava-kov, says police have removed pro-Russian protesters from a government building in the south-eastern city of Mariupol that had been occupied for over a week. In an online statement, Avakov said no casualties were reported as the Mariupol City Hall was cleared. But local media say five people were injured in the clashes.

As the turmoil continues, Russia’s foreign ministry urged the United States to help stop the Ukrainian authorities’ military operations in eastern Ukraine.