Ukraine military chopper shot down near Slovyansk
SLOVYANSK - Rebels in eastern Ukraine shot down a government military helicopter Thursday amid heavy fighting around the city of Slovyansk and confirmed they were holding four missing observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The eastern city of Slovyansk has become the epicenter of fighting between pro-Russia insurgents and government forces in recent weeks. Located 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the Russian border, it has seen constant clashes and its residential areas have regularly come under mortar shelling from government forces, causing civilian casualties and prompting some residents to flee. (AP)
