Ukraine: Sloviansk

Ukraine appear poised for an assault on the pro-Russian city of Sloviansk, says Sarah Rainsford of the BBC.

Fears of an impending offensive by Ukrainian forces are growing in the pro-Russian stronghold of Sloviansk, sources inside the city say...

The mood has hardened in the towns around Sloviansk. Many people are horrified by Friday's deaths of dozens of pro-Russian activists in Odessa, something that they say "cannot be forgiven".

But even in this Russian-speaking heartland, there are occasional signs of support for a united Ukraine: the odd blue and yellow national flag poking from a window, or those colours painted onto a lamppost. But the overwhelming mood is defiance and anger at Kiev for sending troops here.

If the assault by Kiev looks to succeed, Putin will have the chance to show his true intentions.

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