Tuesday 15 April 2014 15.59 Russia has declared Ukraine on the brink of civil war as authorities in Kiev said an "anti-terrorist operation" against pro-Russia separatists was under way.
However, the crackdown appeared to get off to a slow start, if at all.
A day after an Ukrainian ultimatum expired for the separatists to lay down their arms, witnesses reported no signs yet that Ukrainian forces were ready to storm state buildings in the Russian-speaking east that the rebels have occupied.
Interim president Oleksander Turchynov insisted the operation had started in the eastern Donetsk region, although it would happen in stages and "in a considered way".
A Ukrainian general leading the push against pro-Russian militants in the separatist east warned that gunmen who do not lay down their arms would be "destroyed".
"They must be warned that if they do not lay down their arms, they will be destroyed," Security Service General Valeriy Krutov told reporters.
Earlier, Ukrainian police said that pro-Russian separatists had voluntarily surrendered the police headquarters in the city of Kramatorsk, which was taken by armed militants on Saturday.
"They left of their own accord," Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for the Donetsk region police, told Reuters.
Deepest East-West crisis since the Cold War
Amidst the deepest East-West crisis since the Cold War, the leaders of Russia and the US called on each other to do all in their power to avoid further bloodshed.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev gave a gloomy assessment after at least two people died on Sunday when Ukrainian forces unsuccessfully tried to regain control in Slaviansk, one of about ten towns and cities where the separatists have seized buildings.
"Blood has once again been spilt in Ukraine. The country is on the brink of civil war," he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
Ukraine has accused Russia of stirring up the separatists following its annexation of Crimea.
While Russia says Ukraine has provoked the crisis by ignoring the interests of its citizens who use Russian as their first language.
Mr Turchynov said the offensive, which he first announced on Sunday, was finally under way.
"The anti-terrorist operation began during the night in the north of Donetsk region.
"But it will take place in stages, responsibly, in a considered way. I once again stress: the aim of these operations is to defend the citizens of Ukraine," he told parliament.
Western officials have drawn parallels between events in the east of Ukraine and what happened in Crimea, which Russian troops seized in February before the formal annexation.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he welcomed signs that the government in Kiev was ready for dialogue with the separatists, Interfax news agency reported.
Speaking during a visit to Beijing, Mr Lavrov said Ukraine's apparent willingness to "resolve through negotiations all the problems relating to the legal demands of the inhabitants of the south-east regions of Ukraine, is certainly a step in the right direction, albeit very belated".
US President Barack Obama criticised Russia in a telephone call with President Vladimir Putin yesterday, saying its actions were not conducive to a diplomatic solution.
"The president emphasised that all irregular forces in the country need to lay down their arms.
"He urged President Putin to use his influence with these armed, pro-Russian groups to convince them to depart the buildings they have seized," the White House said in a statement.
However, US senator and former presidential candidate John McCain has said the refusal by the US to equip the people of Ukraine with defensive weapons is "shameful".
Speaking in Estonia, Mr McCain said he was angry that a few thousand Ukrainians are likely to fight a 40,000 strong Russian army without the support of the US.
He said: "What I am is extremely angry about is that they have asked us for defensive weapons, such as vests, such as light weapons, such as anti-tank capability, and we have refused to do that.
"They've already had their country taken by the Russians and now there's a threat of more and we in the United States won't give them defensive weapons. It's shameful."
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