Two people killed, 15 injured in Ukraine clashes

MOSCOW, April 17 (KUNA) -- At least two people were killed and 15 others injured in clashes between Ukrainian army and pro-Russian activists in Mariupol city, in Donetsk eastern Ukraine.
The clashes occurred near a military base on Thursday when a group of Russian-speaking individuals approached the building, according to Interfax News Agency. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that the military operation would continue in Mariupol, noting that the government will send reinforcements and fighter jets to the city, according to the Russian TV.
Ukrainian Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov threatened he would bring to justice Ukrainian soldiers who refused to execute orders to open fire on pro-Russian activists in the city of Slavyansk yesterday.
The clashes came at the time Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had headed to Geneva to participate in the talks with the US, European Union and Ukraine over the latter's issue. The meeting which is the first since the crisis broke out, comes while the west is accusing Russia of aiding pro-Russian activists to occupy buildings in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, international news agencies said that about 300 pro-Russian separatists attacked the military base in Mariupol near the Azov Sea, throwing petrol bombs, prompting the soldiers to return fire.
The separatists who have seized a number of buildings in the city, have also set fire to vehicles and a building nearby the military base amidst the clashes, said the agencies.
Ukraine has launched a military operation on Tuesday called "anti-terrorist" by the Kiev government, aiming to remove pro-Russian gunmen from local authority buildings in eastern cities and towns.
Pro-Russian activists are seeking referendums on greater autonomy for the south-east or the right to join the Russian Federation.(end) as.ag