KIEV, Ukraine
Ukraine's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that two Ukrainian soldiers were kidnapped by pro-Russian militias, as reported by the Interfax news service.
The Ministry issued a statement which said the soldiers were kidnapped in the Lugansk region in eastern Ukraine. The two Ukrainian soldiers were captured after their car broke down in Krasny Luch in the Lugansk region and they sought help from local police, who handed them over to pro-Russian militias.
On Wednesday morning, the AA reported that pro-Russian forces as well as forces loyal to the Ukrainian government in Kiev appeared to be preparing for battle in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk.
On Tuesday, Ukraine’s interim President Oleksandr Turchynov announced the start of the operational phase of an "anti-terror" campaign in the country’s east.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
