Clashes in Slovyansk have led to the deaths of five paramilitary police according to Kyiv. Thirty military personnel were injured. <br /><br />Government troops took control of a TV tower while rebels retreated deeper into the city, according to the Russian Interfax agency.<br /><br />“An anti-terrorist operation led to an ambush of terrorists. They are using heavy machine guns and heavy weapons to engage in fighting with us,” said Arsen Avakov, Ukrainian Interior Minister.<br /><br />The crew of a Ukrainian military helicopter survived after it was shot down and crashed into a river the interior ministry said in a statement.<br /><br />Separatists said four of their fighters were killed while local media sources say 15 were injured.<br /><br />A barrier was erected near a local hospital were the injured rebels were treated. Some of the victims, it’s reported came from the local population.<br /><br />It’s estimated around 800 pro-Russian militants were involved in the clashes.<br /><br />Moscow warned Kyiv on Monday a humanitarian crisis was looming in blockaded towns in the east and called on the government to stop using force against its people.<br /><br />It said Kyiv should, “withdraw forces and sit down at the negotiating table to begin a normal dialogue about ways to resolve the political crisis.” <br /><br />Witnesses said the fighting was among the heaviest they have seen so far in the rebel stronghold.
