Three 'Shot Dead' in Clashes in Eastern Ukraine - Interior Minister

Ukrainian soldiers and members of the National Guard were deployed Wednesday in the east and south of the country to conduct an "anti-terrorist" operation and put an end to unrest which Kiev says is being fomented by Russia. Photo by EPA/BGNESS

Three pro-Russian separatists were killed in South-Eastern Ukraine's Mariupol, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Thursday.

Avakov added 13 activists were injured and 65 arrested in clashes with Ukrainian forces sent to conduct an "anti-terrorist" operation in response to recent riots.

The Minister made the announcement on his Facebook profile and was quoted by UNIAN news agency.

"Overnight, in response to the attack of military units of the National Guard in Mariupol, Interior Ministry forces carried out an operation to locate the attackers, which amounted to around 300 people," the message reads.

After Kiev's forces were pelted with landmines and Molotov cocktails, the military fired warning shots.

The incidents reported were in the attack that followed "in compliance with the law".

Interior Ministry's operation in Mariupol continued later on Thursday morning after reinforcements were sent to the troops.

More incidents were reported by official and local sources over the past hours.

Three pro-Russian rebels were wounded after Ukrainian soldiers opened fire in Kramatorsk, where six armored vehicles of the army had earlier passed in to activist's hands, with Russian flags waving over them.

Also in Kramatorsk, Ukrainian units handed their weapons to an unidentified group of armed men after being forced to do so by a man with no insignia on his uniform, Dariknews.bg reported, citing local media.

The developments come hours ahead of the beginning of four-way talks in Geneva due to be attended by Ukraine, Russia, the EU and the US.

Since the beginning of April, Rebels across the east and south have seized a number of government buildings and demand that either Ukraine should take steps toward federalization or they join Russia.

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