Russian Media: Ukraine Army Has Begun An Artillery Bombardment On The Eastern City Of Slaviansk

Ukrainian soldiers stand guard at a Ukrainian checkpoint near the eastern town of Slaviansk (Reuters/Baz Ratner)

Ukraine's Slaviansk Under Artillery Fire After Referendum -- RIA Novosti

SLAVIANSK, May 12 (RIA Novosti) – The Ukrainian army has begun an artillery bombardment of the eastern city of Slaviansk following a referendum in the region on Sunday, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Monday morning.

Artillery shells were heard exploding near a roadblock on the outskirts of Slaviansk. The city was under artillery fire during the night as well, the correspondent said.

Kiev’s current authorities are continuing a military operation in southeastern Ukraine in response to referendums on the status of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that were held Sunday with nearly 90 percent turnout.

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Update #1: Village near Slavyansk attacked with artillery fire, casualties reported -- RT
Update #2: Casualties Reported in Mortar Shelling Near Slaviansk -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: Communications have been cut to these cities .... but social media is alive with reports of artillery bombardments and troop movements. If true .... this is a major escalation in the crisis and it tells me that the interim Ukraine government has made the decision that the military option (instead of a political one) is the option that they are now going to pursue in eastern Ukraine.

Update #3: Ukrainian pro-Russian separatist mayor says region needs Russian troops -- Reuters

Update #4 May 12, 1530 EST: Western media has been silent on what is happening in the eastern city of Slaviansk .... but I believe that this is more due to the fact that communications has been cut and reporters being barred.

Russian media has been active, and they are reporting an all-out assault on the city. According to Interfax ....  
.... “Slavyansk is being bombarded from several sides, we have information that the adversaries are using heavy mortars.”

One of my own personal sources who is in the region (and not far from Slaviansk) has just told me that the Ukraine military has been probing/testing the perimeter defenses of Slaviask .... and he can hear from the distance explosions that sound like mortars (he is ex-military). His fear is that the Ukraine military will be launching an all-out assault in the early morning hours (i.e. in the next 6 hours).

I will be updating this story as more news reports come in.