Ukraine to Deploy Troops in Anti-terror Operation

World Today

In an address to the nation, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said pro-Russian activists occupying state buildings have until Monday morning to lay down their weapons. Those who refuse, he said, will face a “full-scale anti-terrorist operation” to restore order. CCTV’s Michal Bardavid reports.

Ukraine to Deploy Troops in Anti-terror Operation

In an address to the nation, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said pro-Russian activists occupying state buildings have until Monday morning to lay down their weapons. Those who refuse, he said, will face a "full-scale anti-terrorist operation" to restore order. CCTV's Michal Bardavid reports.

Reports of deaths in Slavyansk are the possible tipping points for Ukraine’s interim government. Sunday, the Interior Minister Arsen Avakov reported one security officer was killed, and four injured in gun battles with pro-Russian militants.

Russia reported at least one protestor killed and two injured. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov addressed the nation, announcing a large scale anti-terrorist operation was to be launched and blamed the unrest on Russia. Russia denies this accusation and has warned the Ukrainian government not to use force against the protesters in Eastern Ukraine. Moscow also said it will appeal to the United Nations Security Council to intervene in light of Ukraine’s planned moves. The operation is no doubt a risky one. The men who have seized buildings in many cities across the region are armed, creating the potential for deadly clashes.

In Kharkiv, street demonstrations turned violent Sunday. Following a rally of Euromaidan supporters, clashes broke out between pro-Russian activists and pro-Western protesters. 50 people were reported wounded. In Luhansk city where demonstrators have been occupying administrative buildings for a week – the scene is not very different. Activists there have been burning tires, building tents and barricades; preparing to stay. While armed men are seizing buildings and blocking roads in different cities across Eastern Ukraine – there are some women in Luhansk city who are there to protect them. On the other side of the country, in the capital Kiev – some gathered in prayer for peace. Representatives of the U.S., EU, Ukraine and Russia are to meet this week in Brussels – in hopes of finding solutions to the on-going crisis in Ukraine. But in light of the current threat of government force against militants – peaceful solutions appear more elusive than ever.

For more perspectives on the Ukraine crisis, CCTV’s Asieh Namdar is joined from Atlanta by Mr. William Risch, associate professor at Georgia College, and the author of a book on Ukraine.

Interview with William Risch on Ukraine Crisis

CCTV's Asieh Namdar is joined from Atlanta by Mr. William Risch, associate professor at Georgia College, and the author of a book on Ukraine, to talk more about the Ukraine Crisis.