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Ukrainian forces launched an operation Thursday to drive pro-Russia insurgents¹ out of occupied buildings in the country’s tumultuous east. The country's Interior Ministry² 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 activists³ 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 turmoil⁴ continues, Russia’s foreign ministry urged the United States to help stop the Ukrainian authorities’ military operations in eastern Ukraine.