Deaths
Reported on Both Sides From Sustained Fighting in Slovyansk
The Wall
Street Journal
By LUKAS I.
ALPERT and ANDREA THOMAS
Updated May
5, 2014 12:32 p.m. ET
Heavy
fighting erupted Monday around a pro-Russian separatist stronghold in eastern Ukraine , with
dozens of casualties reported as the standoff between insurgents and the
government entered a more dangerous phase.
The
fighting was the most sustained since acting President Oleksandr Turchynov
first sent troops to eastern Ukraine
about three weeks ago, in what he called an antiterrorist operation. Accounts
from both sides suggested the military was pushing further into the volatile,
heavily defended city of Slovyansk ,
following days of intermittent clashes focused there.
Mr.
Turchynov reiterated Monday that the government was prepared to negotiate with
the pro-Russian protesters, who are seeking greater autonomy for eastern Ukraine .