Ukraine forces join pro-Russia activists

A Ukrainian army formation in the city of Kramatorsk has defected to join pro-Russian activists amid an operation by the Kiev government against protesters in the eastern region.

A column of six armored vehicles flying Russian flags and carrying defected Ukrainian forces entered the city of Slavyansk in Donetsk Province on Wednesday.

The defected forces said they were members of Ukraine’s 25th Brigade of Airborne Forces and that they have switched to the side of pro-Russian activists.

However, senior Ukrainian lawmaker, Serhiy Sobolev, said the forces were part of Kiev’s defense strategy in Donetsk Province.

Sobolev claimed that the forces were tasked with penetrating the ranks of pro-Russian protesters in the area.

This is while pro-Russian protesters have taken control of the city council building in Donetsk.

On Tuesday, Kiev launched a military operation to root out what it calls “separatists” in the country’s eastern cities.

The military operation was launched after protesters defied an April 14 deadline set by the Ukrainian government to lay down arms and leave occupied state buildings.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Kiev’s military operation will place the country on the verge of a civil war.

According to reports, pro-Moscow protesters continue to fortify their positions and occupy government, police and other administrative buildings in over a dozen cities close to the Russian border. Protesters have been demanding local referendums on either independence or integration into Russia.