Slovyansk mayor calls on Putin to intervene or supply separatists with arms
The self-proclaimed mayor of a town in eastern Ukraine appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to “send the army as peacekeepers” or supply separatists with arms to protect Russian speakers.
Vyacheslav Ponomaryov’s request came after a shootout at a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian militia near the city of Slovyansk left at least five people dead and others with gunshot wounds. The identity of the attackers remained unclear. Russia blamed militant Ukrainian nationalists and the Ukrainian government said the attack near the city of Slovyansk was staged by provocateurs from outside the country.