By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/6-ukrainian-troops-killed-pro-russian-ambush Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Six Ukrainian troops killed in pro-Russian ambush World May 13, 2014 11:56 AM EDT At least 30 pro-Russian separatists ambushed Ukrainian troops Tuesday, killing six soldiers and wounding eight others. Armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons, the pro-Russia insurgency attacked the troops nearby the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, Ukraine’s defense ministry said in a statement. Kramatorsk is part of the Donetsk region, one of two regions in eastern Ukraine where residents declared independence Monday, asking to join Russia. The Kremlin, however, stopped short of discussing annexation of eastern Ukraine, much like it did with absorbing the Crimea Peninsula in March. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier flew to Kiev on Tuesday to help arrange talks between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists, adding that Ukraine’s May 25 presidential election was “crucial” to ending the crisis. The pro-Russia insurgency has been seizing government buildings across eastern Ukraine for weeks now, in protest of the new interim government in Kiev. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
At least 30 pro-Russian separatists ambushed Ukrainian troops Tuesday, killing six soldiers and wounding eight others. Armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons, the pro-Russia insurgency attacked the troops nearby the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, Ukraine’s defense ministry said in a statement. Kramatorsk is part of the Donetsk region, one of two regions in eastern Ukraine where residents declared independence Monday, asking to join Russia. The Kremlin, however, stopped short of discussing annexation of eastern Ukraine, much like it did with absorbing the Crimea Peninsula in March. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier flew to Kiev on Tuesday to help arrange talks between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists, adding that Ukraine’s May 25 presidential election was “crucial” to ending the crisis. The pro-Russia insurgency has been seizing government buildings across eastern Ukraine for weeks now, in protest of the new interim government in Kiev. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now