DONETSK, Turkey
At least 12 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 30 wounded in an attack by pro-Russian separatists on a military checkpoint in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, eyewitnesses have said.
Some of those injured are in critical condition, local sources say.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed the attacks on its troops, adding that armored vehicles had also been destroyed, but gave no details on casualties.
The region of Donetsk declared independence from Ukraine after pro-Russian separatists organized a "self-rule" referendum on May 11. The Ukrainian government and Western nations have refused to recognize the referendum results.
Ukrainian citizens will head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president. Pro-Russian and former president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in February. Separatist forces in Donetsk and Luhansk vowed to prevent voting in the eastern region.
aa.com.tr/en
