Insurgent bases destroyed, Kyiv says
KYIV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian army destroyed two military bases of pro-Russian insurgents in overnight operations, the country’s acting president said Thursday.
Ukrainian forces destroyed an insurgent base outside Kramatorsk, a town 150 kilometres west of the Russian border, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told parliament.
In another operation, troops destroyed an insurgent base in the nearby city of Slavyansk, he said.
Ukraine authorities said three insurgents were taken captive, but there were no casualties and no “civilian” got caught in the fight.
Turchynov didn’t describe the insurgents’ bases or give any further details. Some previous Ukrainian claims of successful operations have proved to be exaggerated.
Insurgents have seized government buildings across eastern Ukraine, fought the Ukrainian military and declared independence after a vote Sunday as the nation’s political meltdown evolved into a military confrontation.
The insurgents in Donetsk on Thursday announced the creation of their own parliament and cabinet.
“A civil war is underway, and it’s important for us to create a power bloc to successfully fight the Kyiv junta,” said Yelena Korovkina, a member of the self-proclaimed parliament.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, a trans-Atlantic security group, put forward a “roadmap” calling for national dialogue as a first step toward resolving the escalating tensions.
Talks opened Wednesday in Kyiv, but the government refused to meet with representatives of the insurgents, and the first round went nowhere.
The next session is expected on Saturday, but the government hasn’t made specific commitments.
Putin turns up pressure
Russian President Vladimir Putin turned up the pressure on Ukraine with an ultimatum Thursday: the country must pay in advance for Russian natural gas supplies starting June 1.
In a letter to European leaders, Putin said his government was taking the step because Ukraine has refused to pay down $3.5 billion owed for past deliveries.
He first warned of the move in April in a letter to leaders of other European nations that are customers of the Russian state-controlled natural gas giant Gazprom. Ukraine serves as a major conduit for Russian gas supplies to Europe, and pricing disputes have led to shutdowns in the past.
There was word Thursday that Central European leaders have agreed to come up with a plan to co-operate over gas supplies in case Russia cuts off deliveries through Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he and his counterparts from Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will work on a “solidarity mechanism” for gas supplies. No details were given.
Putin said gas talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the European Union have failed to reach a compromise.
Ukraine says it would pay if Moscow restores price discounts cancelled after the toppling of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in February.