Ukrainian Forces Seize Crucial Port City From Pro-Russia Separatists

KIEV, Ukraine — Government claimed big victories in its fight against pro-Russia separatists in the country’s restive southeast on Friday, saying its forces had retaken a strategic industrial port city in an offensive launched at dawn.

As the sun rose over Mariupol, a city of some 450,000 on the Azov Sea, Ukrainian government forces began a new “active phase” of its “anti-terrorist operation,” now in its second month, to wrest it from the grip of armed insurgents, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on Facebook

“All key terrorist strongholds are being brought under control,” he said, adding that troops had destroyed several sniper posts, neutralized two explosive devices and detained 11 “terrorists.” Avakov said there was a "high" loss of life among the separatists, but no deaths among Ukrainian soldiers Read more...