Ukraine Says Military Operation in East Has Begun, Russia Expects Civil War to Breakout

“A Ukrainian military operation to wrest control of cities in the east from pro-Russian militants has begun, Ukraine’s acting president said Tuesday, as Russia’s foreign minister warned use of force could derail international talks on the crisis.

Oleksandr Turchynov said that a phased “antiterrorist” operation began in the early morning hours in the northern Donetsk region, where the majority of the cities commandeered by pro-Russian forces are located. But there were no immediate reports of specific action and it was not clear how big the effort was.

“Overnight, an antiterrorist operation began in the north of Donetsk. But it will be phased, responsible and balanced. The purpose of the actions, I stress once again, is to protect the citizens of Ukraine,” he told Ukraine’s parliament, according to Interfax.

The swelling unrest is posing a major challenge to the new authorities in Kiev. The country’s military is ill-equipped to face off with pro-Russian forces who have barricaded themselves inside buildings in city centers in the east, once the key base of support for ousted President Viktor Yanukovych. A major operation to roust them could be bloody.

In Slovyansk, which emerged as a key city in the recent wave of unrest, there was no sign of the Ukrainian military and the mood remained calm, although many shops were closed. A man guarding a barricade outside the city’s main police station, which was seized on Sunday, said the protesters were prepared for any assault…..”

Full article