Ukraine Sends Troops to Curb Unrest in the East

Ukrainian troops ride tanks on the way toward Slovyanks on April 14, 2014 in Ukraine. Photo: Ilia Pitalev – Kommersant Photo/Getty Images

Per Liljas

Ukraine has launched a military operation to regain control of sites in the eastern region that were recently overrun by armed pro-Russian separatists, a mission that acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told parliament will be 'phased, responsible and balanced'

Ukraine launched a military operation in the northern Donetsk region early on Tuesday, to regain control of sites that have been taken over by armed pro-Russian activists in various eastern towns and cities.

According to Russian news agency Interfax, acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov told parliament that the military was engaged in an “antiterrorist operation.”

“It will be phased, responsible and balanced,” he said. “The purpose of the actions, I stress once again, is to protect the citizens of Ukraine.”

The separatists have ignored several ultimatums to surrender from the Ukrainian government, which has to play a delicate game. Continued lack of military response could embolden pro-Russia groups, but an armed crackdown could prompt the invasion of Russian troops, which are gathered along the border in their tens of thousands.

Speaking on Tuesday from Beijing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed an armed resolution to the crisis as “unacceptable.” He added that claims of Russian involvement were “the biggest load of nonsense I have ever heard.”

Ukraine has increasingly lost grip of the situation in the east, where thousands of officials have gone over to separatist forces. Defying the latest ultimatum on Monday, occupiers in Donetsk, who have declared an independent republic, vowed to take control of the rest of the province.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev said Ukraine was “on the brink of civil war.”

On Tuesday, a U.N. human-rights report was released on the crisis, citing the urgent need to counter “misinformation, propaganda and incitement to hatred” in order to avoid further escalation.

Meanwhile, foreign ministers of the European Union decided Monday to freeze the assets of more Russian officials and prominent citizens, and extend visa bans.

Per Liljas, TIME, April 15, 2014