as they send provocateurs into eastern ukraine to bolster the growing opposition forces in eastern ukraine. what is going on. repeatedly it looks like the president of russia is accusing others slyly, almost with a doing. >> well, again, you use the term military forces in terms of the kiev government. that is right. armed militias were set up and came into the east. as far as i'm concerned as agent provocateurs. this went along with political moves where 19 new ministries - two were from the east. there has been a pattern of overlooking the interests and the representation of people from the east. one other thing here - that is that it's all portrayed as russia firmenting the issue. it is not russia, but the pro-russian elements. there is is banner in the streets saying we are not russians, and as everyone knows, ukraine was the cradle of slovak consideration, and there is a sense of solidarity, and what this points to is a divided country between east and west. all the attention and acknowledgment from the e.u. and the united states is for the ukraine. >> is that a fair orves, has the uk

in eastern ukraine? i know of none. what language are they using to refer to the prime minister? kiev fascist. yet the government inkiev sending troops against eastern ukraine on the grounds their terrorist. and you have the insurgents, let's call them that in eastern ukraine refer to the government as fascist's. that is how far apart these people are. and all of this on the 69th anniversary of world war ii, when ukraine and russia lost millions of people to actual fascist. this is how bad it is. though bold statement he made in the premise on which american policy is being made is that putin attacked ukraine and began this whole mess. what ever you think about what the outcome should be, that is just factually untrue. all of this began when the united states and europe asked ukraine that last november to make a decision between russia and the european union. that trigger the protest that led to this. here's the tragedy. people are dying when there's a perfectly accessible way to negotiate. and it is not

in eastern ukraine, camouflaged gunmen still occupying government buildings. in sloviansk the separatists claim as their strong hold. gunmen seized town hall, police building, security service building three weeks also. osce oe observers are said to b detained. separatists in donetsk have claimed a people's republic. town halls, police buildings, prosecutor offices are falling in the hands of pro russian activists. let's speak to david stern in the ukrainian capital kiev. let's start with this military attack. any detail as to a, where he is now, and b, what intelligence activities were. >> no david not a whole lot of detail. we know he was the naval administer at the embassy. he was detained for what the foreign ministry has named activities not in accordance to his job at the embassy. i've spoken to the foreign ministry spoke person saying he has been detained. the attache has 24 hours to leave the country. 24 hours from yesterday. he will be leaving at some point today. we don't know his name or exactly what he was engaged in or how he was apprehended. >> t

situation in, the the eastern ukraine has continued to deteriorate. our groups stormed the prosecutor's office -- office, increasing the number of government buildings occupied since the 17 april geneva agreement. we remain gravely concerned by the kidnap and continued detention of the vienna document inspectors and call on russia to condemn this criminal act and use its influence over those holding these inspectors to bring about their immediate, safe, and unconditional release. we are deeply disturbed by reports of journalists reporting from east ukraine. the council discussed journalists in an open debate last year. care -- clearest conclusions was that the importance of safeguarding free media so that facts and truth can be told. we're seeing is disinformation and propaganda. councilers of this emphasized the importance of the agreement and its implementation. abiding by that agreement remains the best way to de-escalate volatile and dangerous situations in eastern ukraine. regrettable that russia's presidential press secretary said this morning t

journalists in eastern ukraine have been detained. there are kidnappings, torture. the osec observers detained on 25 april are still being held hostage a week later this is in an front-- affront to the entire international community and they must be released immediately. these action by pro-russian groups are clearly not a legitimate protest or an attempt to protect russian speakers from alleged or spurious threats. they are calculated, cynical, and highly provocative actions, obviously designed to undermine ukrainian state authority, to intimidate and destablize. they make a mockery of what russia has committed to in the geneva agreement. ukraine itself is working to implement its genieve commitments. it submitted to parliament a draft law on amnesty for protesters who surrender their weapons. it initiate ad process of constitutional reform aimed at decentralizing power. it is committed to holding a broad public debate on possible constitutional change. however in response to the extreme provocation ukraine is facing, ukrainian authorities have the right the right

to justify a possible invasion of eastern ukraine. remember, russia has stationed some 40,000 of its troops just across the border from eastern ukraine in western russia. they've been on periodical maneuvers in a relatively threatening posture. they could easily be diverted to take territory and go in as what the kremlin may call peacekeepers in eastern ukraine. at the moment, that hasn't happened, and indeed, dmitri peskov, the presidential spokesman, saying this, moscow does not yet know how to respond to the growing violence in ukraine, but i've been told personally that vladimir putin is viewing the situation with grave concern and he's watching developments by the hour. errol. >> that's matthew chance for us live from moscow. thank you. >>> now we want to bring you the latest information we have now on that desperate search for malaysia flight 370. the airline has told families staying at a beijing hotel it's time to go. malaysia air said they'd be better off waiting for updates "in the comfort of their own homes." cnn's david mc

the situation in the eastern regions of ukraine remains tense. on wednesday copeland troops exchanged file with the anti government forces outskirts of sloppy and sat there with new reports of any casualties when troop strength and that differences in the day and check to be co hosting three checkpoints leading into the city in a southern ukrainian port of american coal anti government activists seized back the things you hold just hours of being ousted by government troops. when is that government troops stormed the city hall and disjointed office furniture and equipment but withdrew it up on the same day over and fifty anti government protests in scope least none from the least fourteen detained activists. she was in eastern ukraine had been sliding since means april and kiev has three people a false case for inflation beyond rest of russia has dismissed the accusations on wednesday russian president of the day with prudence and the country had withdrawn its troops from the ukrainian border. he was an activist in the eastern regions to postpone

eastern ukraine slips into chaos. the bbc team is on the scene. >> what is happening shows the central government is losing control in east ukraine. >> a bomb explodes on a busy street in nigeria's capital. an eyewitness says there are several people dead at the scene. after the vietnam war ended, one american veteran goes back in search of the sun he has never met. you will not believe or he finds him. ukraine is reintroducing military conscription to deal with the deteriorating situation in east of the country. the decision comes as fresh violence broke out in the east the city. arereds of militants fighting running battles. >> this was may day in eastern ukraine. activist fought with right police outside of the prosecutor's office. they attacked the police with rocs and sticks as they tried to seize another key building. a region descending into chaos. stun grenades and tear gas exploded around them, injured are led away to safety. >> what is happening here this afternoon shows the central government is losing cont

the situation seemingly about to disconnect boise on t study on its eastern ukraine. the meaning of the united nations security council convened today of violence rocking eastern ukraine. stop the proceedings. two hour meeting on the united nations security council the thirteenth time the council meets on the ukrainian christmas the second time this week. we knew who was the wife and left leaning brought up with the increased chaos and violence in eastern ukraine given the goal of life and most are right in the conflict. it was in russia that called for the fashion to take place the thing the urgency of the meaning of what it called a rezoning of military haitian against its own people by the cuban government the unraveling of the criminal misadventures that week even more catastrophic consequences for the violence that has already taken place. intentions of the quilting to cuban government backing to refrain from violence point that apostasy is worth and far from leeds. i didn't want to hold the west to stop going with this situation instead of telling russia where a

putin say keo kiev has to do a better job of reaching out to eastern europe -- or eastern ukraine. you have seen attempts by kiev and a very serious way to propose decentralization of power. to provide for local elections. for them to offer amnesty to those who have already taken over these buildings, none of them have been acknowledged by mr. putin or various russian mouthpieces out there. you have also seen suggestions or implications that americans are responsible for meddling inside ukraine. i have to say that our only interest is for ukraine to be able to make its own decisions. the last thing we want is disorder and chaos in the center of europe. so, for the german audience who perhaps is tuning into russian tv, i would just advise to stay focused on the facts and what has happened on the ground. a few weeks ago, mr. putin was still denying the russian military was involved in crimea. a few weeks later, he acknowledged that they were his guys. they're just has not been the kind of honesty and credibility about the situation there and the willingness to engage seriously in res

well concerned about being patient in eastern ukraine. she plays its moscow team immediately stop the escalation of the country and not to disrupt the geneva agreements. in most can send it from us and amanda states sam and cancel out onto the mac and went running the stations on the ukrainian he says. the jets and new york to place an emergency meeting of the un security council secretary general although in a station called nd team in moscow to show restraint. ukrainian represents did with all the blame for the escalation on the concrete on the stem ukraine ukrainian authorities are ready to amnesty. old. and those members who flew from groups who hasn't committed serious crimes. inclusive political dialogue. this book the peaceful protests and protesters remains a priority for ukrainian government the episode estate. there's no drinks or missiles are used again see the aisles the russian statements promote the participation open and elemental on groups in the counterterrorism operation is not true. some of the cynical controls a russia

>>> right now, people are voting for autonomy in eastern ukraine. we'll give you a live report from donetsk. painful accounts from nigeria. how this government feels his family wasn't saved. >>> and hear the drag queen win the euro vision song quest. >>> lots of interesting stories to get to you today. welcome. welcome to our viewers in the u.s. and around the world, this is "cnn newsroom." i appreciate you joining us on this sunday. let's get right to our top story. balloting underway in a controversial referendum in eastern ukraine. the polls opened today despite calls by both kiev and moscow to cancel the election. the referendum asked a simple question -- do you support the active independence, yes or no. this comes just after deadly clashes between pro russian militants and ukrainian troops in the region. at least seven people were killed in mariupol. and we have several reporters and we'll speak with everybody. and you are at one of the many polling stations there. talk about how the turnout is and who is turning out. >> well, turnout has been

>> >> >>> eastern ukraine's controversial referendum on self rule gets under way. >>> hello, welcome. i'm steven cole in doha. had this is al jazeera -- this is al jazeera. the top stories this hour. >> i'll tell you how the jordanian authorities are trying to improve securityies in the refugee camps of syria. >>> plus, another five years in office - jacob zuma declared the winner of south africa's election. excluded from the world's biggest election - why millions of indians are unable to cast their ballots. >>> first, polling stations in parts of eastern ukraine are open as separatists hold a wide by condemned referendum on self-rule. separatists say they printed 3 million ballot papers. around 70% of people do not want to leave ukraine. >> the election is held in donetsk and luhansk. with a combined population of 6. million people. only those in areas under separatist control will be able to vote. we have this report from donetsk. >> the voters of eastern ukraine are encouraged to see their country in stark turns. blood-thirsty ultra nationalists in kiev waging war on the communiti

by vir few of the undermining elements of eastern ukraine. and if that is the case, that all of these different elements are taking place, the question in my mind, that's a troubling scenario and the question in my mind is what ultimately triggers the sanctions that have been announced as a possibility but have not been pursued? does the administration look at the sanctions as something that is an effort to be preventative? or does it look at it as a element of consequence and punishment for doing something that's wrong? >> well, chairman, the president as you know has talked about cost for russian behavior. but obviously the sanctions he is escalatory ladder, as was made clear, we've done a number of rounds of sanctions getting closer to those who protect putin and protect his money and fund those aspects -- >> i get what has been done and applauded it. and said i think the administration is on the right path. my concern is the following. if we don't use this calibration on sanctions in a way to prevent further inkurgs into the ukraine, we'l

this is suspects are going to be killed in eastern ukraine but it yet. that's not the size and lesbians have been shown in this operation. an investigation to find. on friday in which case that when people die. ukrainian media at the eighteen people at the end i didn't find what you can see examples is on monday. they say that this place. laid on him all day set in stone or not isn't dressed and well. she accuses shia off at will. privilege and a sack lunch and the rest in peace. she says. it is possible with a view of a thank you very much for updating their brains of the big pieces from moscow the one ukraine's government has bad we are not stop thinking so today as it's mitre resumed operations against pro russian separatist in the east the interior minister in kiev confirmed action hundred commenced. don't read that and a credit or a ukrainian forces say they've taken a television tower in the city which is at seventeen km from the rebel stronghold of the pianist. the one on friday dozens of people died in a fire engine building taken over by probe r

korea is deeply concerned over the continuing tensions in eastern ukraine. despite the agreement reached in geneva, the situation in ukraine is showing no sign of stopping. we are large by the fresh violence corrupted in ukraine overnight, including violent attacks targeting to government helicopters by illegal armed groups. we strongly condemn these attacks. it resulted in the death of two ukrainians. such instance points to a serious deterioration in the situation or provocative actions and hostile rhetoric aimed at destabilizing ukraine must cease. in light of the ongoing situation in ukraine, we reiterated that instructive dialogue between all concerned parties will be the only way to achieve a peaceful solution. we call for all parties to the geneva statement to of lament their commitments. we also fully support of the secretary offices and diplomatic initiatives. we hope that his upcoming visit to ukraine and russia will a contribution -- will contribute to de-escalating on the ground. with the importance -- important election scheduled -- scheduled in

in eastern ukraine reports say at least one separatists was killed in finding new homes and government forces stormed a building and many of hope that this is the evidence of strong ukrainian operations in the ccs. fresh to strong hold of some the of this being some intermittent gunfire. the devils manning barricades the p a well equipped and ready to defend their positions. constantine of colson remains the separatists hands of the licence conditions with government forces. during the day rebels reclaimed the checkpoint after government troops withdrew the book don't know what was i don't know when we can win but here in the east and in the south we will fight until the end. we will never get enough research. this growing fear that the simmering conflict could burst into full fledged civil war. many insert into question the ability to hold nationwide elections planned in just three weeks. and you give your correspondent katie weldon joins us now live from donetsk in eastern ukraine yet the fears are that the conflict is deepening what is the latest that's been happening where you are

is there any belief that we can have a fair election in ukraine or in eastern ukraine? >> in eastern ukraine, it is hard to have a fair election although i think there a lot of people there who want to be closer to russia. a lot of the younger people in eastern ukraine, even people of russian origin, don't necessarily want to leave ukraine and become part of russia. it's hard to have a fair election when you have a lot of russian pressure on eastern ukraine. the real problem is the elections are not only unfair but they are disorderly. that would raise problems because one of the russian goals is to demonstrate that the government of gf is not legitimate. if the elections are not seen as legitimate, that will just strengthen the russian narrative. >> was there 16 killed in the last couple of days? how do you get stability of an election on sunday? the separatists don't necessarily want to be associated with russia and vladimir putin is not necessarily associating himself with them. if that's the case, are we mistaken in the u.s. to punish russia for what is happening in

. >> >>> separatists in eastern ukraine claim victory after a referendum on self-rule. >>> hello. welcome. soim steven cole in -- i'm steven cole in doha. this is al jazeera. >>> the other stories - keeping up the pressure. anti-government protesters in thailand move the demonstration to government house. >>> a marathon 5-week poll in india's election comes to a result. >>> why this nartiony art is too dangerous to be shown in germany. >>> first, pro-russian separatists in eastern ukraine are claiming a massive victory after sunday's referendum on autonomy, self-rule. they say an overwhelming majority of those that turned out voted in favour of the move. final results are expected in the coming hours, and will come as e.u. foreign ministers meet in prus else to talk -- brussels to talk about the crisis. >> spiritists in donetsk will discuss the vote. 89% voted in favour of creating a people's republic. three-quarters of the public turned out to vote. there are no international monitors and no official electoral role. it's impossible to know how many did vote, let alone how they vo

stay with aljazeera for continuing coverage of the eastern ukraine referendum. coming up at 7:30 eastern, we'll discuss the u.s. and russian reaction to the results of that vote. >> south korea is opening an investigation into the ferry that sank last month, killing 300 people. special sessions will be held throughout the week. officials want to confirm the cause of the accident. crew members have been arrested along with the c.e.o. of the company that owns the ferry. the boat was carrying three times its maximum cargo load. >> search crews in virginia found the body of the third victim of a hot air balloon crash. the two others killed were staff members at the university of richmond. the college held a moment of silence for the women's basketball employees during a graduation ceremony this weekend. the balloon hit a power line and caught on fire during the start of the mid atlantic balloon festival. >> china and vietnam are at adds over the south china sea. vietnam's prime minister said china is acting dangerously in the pursuit, placing a giant oil rig in an a

russian activists in eastern ukraine are standing firm against them manage the operation launched by the interim government the cruelty operating in eastern city of pullman tallest one today from russian man attends from pumping buildings that use to control the local tv station and ten points. that's the sense that six people were killed and fifteen others injured in the uk operation. and the suspect to the southern city of augusta forty two people were killed and clashes between s

and as ukrainian forces moved to restore order in eastern ukraine. it is obvious to the world of these russian backed groups are not peaceful protesters. there we are militants. for receiving significant support from russia russian leadership must know that if it continues to de stabilize eastern ukraine. and disrupt this month's presidential election we will move quickly on additional steps. neon is any guide both the nintendo intent was to make it my company my new baby. on the basis of stuff to audition it literally has the right direction finally worst it's a very up to standards of chaos on the stove and we will see to it. they see me and nathan talking down from the system i think i'm a twenty to make his own. life went on in my state. the unavoidable to something that we can one man isn't it easy on to the this week. the land of. song online. he admits the road the origins of the job here just to be shown me just add to this position in eastern europe. wish it was about as directors at the korean quite good. the interest of mine hunters from n

eastern ukraine of for south rule. -- for self-rule. kerrey on theb great distortion, the political primaries leading up to november 2016. this is "bloomberg surveillance." it is monday, may 12. scarlet fu and adam johnson are joining me. our guest host is the former senator and governor of nebraska, bob kerrey. also managing director at allen and company. good morning. >> good morning. overnight thanks soon as fewer loans than anticipated. analysts forecast china is heading for its weakest expansion since 1990. poland, theye and are not going to raise the benchmark interest rate this year. quantitative easing virtually everywhere you turn. at 2:00 we get the monthly budget statement. sometime today we will get the mortgage for closing numbers. with cpi andg week ppi. >> retail sales are tomorrow. 50% of gdp comes from consumer spending. then housing on friday. >> huge week. we are starting to taper a bit. after the bell we will get mckesson. thee have a big takeover in food industry could hill shire brands -- industry. hill shire brand

violence in eastern ukraine leaves at least 20 people dead. in crimea, president clinton makesa -- president putin a triumphant visit that is condemned in america stop anger in the nigerian government after they say they have advanced warning about the raid on the girls school. and could the next generation of life-saving drugs lie underwater? we will show you how the new frontier could change treatments right around the world. ♪ >> welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. today, serious clashes in eastern ukraine. this time in the port city. bepeople, most believe to pro-russian activists, were killed after they tried to storm a police hel headquarters. the vladimir putin made his first visit to crimea since russia annexed it in march. we have this report from richard galston on the scene. believeswhich bbc shows ukrainian troops fighting a pitched battle with pro-russian separatists in the center of the city. the military sending in reinforcements they say were needed to dislodge a group of separatists w

in eastern ukraine as government troops file wildly in front of a crowd of civilians angry over being denied the right to vote. but election officials say millions of others have made their choice voting overwhelmingly to take control of their own future. nato brings its record breaking storm right up to russia's doorstep there on the program we look at the. military buildup in europe's east since the term all began in ukraine. and the friend old poll shows that a third of british citizens feel robots are not only capable toys but potential and unpredictable. international will separate the fact from the fiction. a very warm welcome to you from all of us here at moscow. headlines for right now two civilians have been killed and others wounded by government forces in eastern ukraine this during a referendum on self-determination. you may find disturbing. it's in the town. where government troops stormed a polling station and opened fire in front of a crowd of civilians so if you have a look over here this is actually shots of a ricochet bullet he's just going off screen he. bleeding he

now he's sending airplanes there and that is a threat to eastern ukraine. russia is not a calming force in ukraine. >> how different is this from the other a countrys that we have seen this happening like georgia? >> it is different than georgia in a key way, that is often overlooked. in 2008, the regions had not be under a meaningful sovereignty for over a decade. that is not true in eastern decade. >> this is meaningful? >> this is more meanful and more aggressive efforts. this forces went into russia in 2008. this is a more and lasted much longer in ukraine, this is a more serious and dangerous situation. >> coming back to this, how did kiev lose control of the strong holds and what can they do to regain the control? >> kiev, i'm not sure used that language, you have had a very divided population in ukraine, and you have had weak institutions that can't bring a divided country today. we have division in the united states too. but our institutions reasonably well to keep it together. that is not happening in ukraine. following the ousting or the democrati

eastern ukraine. meanwhile in the city of cross not amazed they don't hear it's gratian voting has been declared over after the government forces interfered troops entered the city and seized four schools where voting was taking place man in military uniform blocks the entrance to the polling stations and prevented people from entering according to the referendum organizers locals managed to hide the ballots so the count can be made later almost eighty percent of voters reportedly took part in the referendum across not maske but all the stations were taken over by troops. the higher call region of eastern ukraine has also seen mass protests against the government in kiev it has also plans to hold a referendum but decided to suspended just a few days ago the move followed the russian president's call for a delay until conditions improve and dialogue with kiev is possible. but stated we asked the representatives of southeastern ukraine and proof federalization supporters to perspire on the referendum on

not just eastern ukraine, in ukraine as a whole. he is the richest man in the country by a long way. his personal fortune berries -- varies between $11 billion and $16 million, depending on who you listen to. he started to build his fortune in the 1990's. there was suspicion he was involved in organized crime. he was closely related to the former president of ukraine, yanukovych. there was suspicion here that he was funding separatists in eastern ukraine. there was an accusation he was sitting on the fence. now he has made it absolutely clear where he stands. he is fully behind the idea of the unity of ukraine. perhaps for more autonomy for this part of the country, but definitely for unity of ukraine. with a man of that power and influence doing something in a region of 300,000 people, you have to sit up and take notice. >> rob parsons reporting from donetsk. thank you. at least six people have died after a train hit a passenger southwest of moscow. 60rriages were derailed, kilometers from the capital. a passenger train was on its

as my colleagues jonah hull reports. >> reporter: the voters in eastern ukraine are invited to see their country in stark turps, those waging war on the peaceful communities of donetsk and its surrounds. a take for yes the only answer to the idea of their own people's republic. opinion polls suggest that popular support for the idea is low. we found it to be divided at level. i'll vote yes. i want piece, i don't want the west coming here, shooting at our kids. >> i will not vote. it will have an impact on us. >> i will not go and vote. it's not that i don't support it, i don't find the referendum legitimate. >> the head of the central election commission of the people's republic of donetsk says the referendum will meet international standards. here is something that observers may cause to question, a sign in the windowo of the polling saying - say yes to the republic. of course, there are not going to be international observers. >>> and among volunteer polling station workers, the outcome is not in much doubt. >> when it comes to the percentage, i cannot tell, but i believe it will be 60

pro russian separatists in eastern ukraine. rejecting the russian president's surprise call for a postponement of this coming sunday. it's crying in style referendum on autonomy that's produced in contention in the view was always a big deal on the calendar in all former soviet republics me the night commemorations of the red army's victory in world war two. it also puts the ball back and moscow's court after an about face. the cop the world off guard on wednesday. gray to blue. we are requesting the representative of ukraine south east and supporters of the realization of the country to prosper in the referendum that it's time to maybe eleven years in order to ensure the necessary conditions to sign on with the addition. i wouldn't be asking a panel about previous pronouncements was it the visiting swiss president's persuasive manner the specter of more western sanctions or does it all fit into the kremlin's cleverly crafted broader plan today in the austin kept him busy we're looking at moscow's mixed messages me had some sen

and a roundup of the week's headlines here in our team's fighting grapes eastern ukraine military operations against anti government activist underway in sioux city isn't violent unrest shaking few more overnight shea. dozens of anti government activists are burned alive after extremists in the deadly inferno in the rain city of odessa report elite even beating badly injured survivors. at any of the us death row inmates shining so while the us were on the use of untested drugs for lethal injections entering tonight's calls for a moratorium on capital punishment. god's first general election since nato troops pulled out it was an atom in a nationwide terror campaign. no parties likely to score enough votes to dominate the political landscape. i am. bill. my boss tell me mary johnson. at least seven people have been confirmed dead in the days of fighting in eastern ukraine see the upcoming tours the army there is now resting controlled most of the city from anti government activists. aig's posts here is in the region. dramatic developments getting soft eastern ukraine way the news is unfolding

well the flurry of diplomatic activity comes as the fighting in eastern ukraine intensive phonics and government are upset and circle the flashpoint city of lubbock and candor tightening their grip after deadly clashes with progress since the protests. tss thirty insurgents and foreign government soldiers were killed in battles on monday ukraine has stepped up its offensive to try to take back control in the east the rebel fighters ever been hoping for mass production fighters still man the barricades lead into the center still be on they're patrolling the streets the eastern ukrainian city remained quiet on tuesday a day after bitter fighting in which thirty heavily armed separatists were killed according to the ukrainian government the separatists and for good number have done it. it was key as most ambitious effort to retake looking on. it said ukrainian troops have refrained from pushing into the city center to protect the lives of civilians. and ukrainian security agencies have collected more evidence that russian soldiers are backing the rebels oh what a loser testimony mostly c

sloviansk has been the center of heavy fighting in eastern ukraine. it fell to ukraine in the beginning. it is one of the areas the president elect is vowing to push forward and try to retake as he pushes on with an antiter operation to dismantle the terrorists and ban it to eastern ukraine. he has likened to somali pirates. >> what are the pro russian rebels still where you are in donetsk -- are they falsifying positions there? >> reporter: well, certainly they attempted to regroup when the ukrainian military launched a huge air assault on the air force monday and tuesday to try to get it back from rebel control. remember abels tried to seize i. we watched as rebel insurgents tried to regroup. the airport itself seems to have been retaken by the military. what has happened now, rebels are trying to regroup, launch counter offensives. there are various reports of troop movement on the outskirts. clearly both sides are digging in, vowing to remain tough. you get the sense tim, kiev is beginning to lose patience or has lost patience really. it is saying

putin say, well, kiev has to do a better job of reaching out to eastern europe or eastern ukraine. you've seen a tempts by kiev in a very serious way to propose decentralization of power. and to provide for local elections. and for them to offer amnesty to those who have already taken over the buildings. none of that has been acknowledged by mr. putin or various russian malfeasance out there. you've seen somehow americans are responsible for meddling inside ukraine. i have to say, that our only interest is to for ukraine to be able to make its own decisions. and the last thing we want is disorder and chaos in the center of europe. so you know, for the german audience who perhaps is tuning in to russian tv, i would just advise to stay focused on the facts and what's happened on the ground. a few weeks ago mr. putin was still denying that the russian military was even involved in crimea. then a few weeks later acknowledged, yeah, i guess that was our guys. and so there just has not been the kind of honesty and credibility about the situation there and a willingness to engage seriousl

pro-russia activists in eastern ukraine are preparing for a rebel referendum on self-rule. they are defying calls to delay a vote that is due to take plus on sunday. we have this report on don everybody. where the activists announced their decision. >> the separatists of eastern ukraine might have been expected to do exactly what russia's president urged them to do, poewes pope their referred -- postpone their referendum and negotiate with the government. sitting a unanimous vote, the chairman said the referendum would go ahead. >> translation: we don't have direct contact with vladimir putin, we found out about his proposal through the mass media. he'll hear about our decision in the same way. >> representatives of luhansk announced they'd do like wees. >> in the stronghold of slovyansk, the focus of an effort by ukranian forces to dislodge armed pro-russian groups, the message - here, too, they are ready for sunday's vote. >> the majority of the region and the city will vote positively. i know this because i have talked to citizens in all sectors of the population. everyo

in eastern ukraine it may not be all that straightforward. it's not clear who controls the voter's list and if they're up-to-date. >> reporter: the referendum in itself is nothing but political fraught, and it's only being used by propaganda in russia. >> reporter: ukrainian security services said this proves russia directly supports the vote. they say they're not ready for the vote. the man in moscow telling them to make up the results and 89% win. the organization for security and cooperation in europe is monitoring the situation in ukraine. >> obviously if it goes ahead, we create facts on the ground that we'll have to deal with. personally, i don't think it's a good idea at this moment. >> reporter: the separatests don't control the entire territory, just many government buildings, and it's unclear how widespread the vote can be. >> what will happen about this referendum? who will go out and vote? is it even legal? they're determineing to ahead even though they don't control the whole area, you see them printing millions of ballot basical

thus intelligence released all the observers in eastern ukraine and yet continues its offensive. afghan officials give up hope of finding survivors buried in a massive landslide than three hundred confirmed yet. and journalists on trial he did get an hour into the world press freedom day

also the kremlin saying they're receiving thousands of requests for help from southern and eastern ukraine. that's interesting and important. the russians have said all along, they reserve the right to intervene militarily, if they believe russian interests speakers are at risk. so there is a growing concern that russia could use the army. it's got position to cross the border from you kra into intervene and take areas, further areas of ukraine if it chooses to do so. at the moment, no such order has been given, there has been a telephone conversation between the russian foreman and u.s. secretary of state john kerry in which they called on mr. kerry to use all his flurngs all the influence that the united states to get them to end their military operations inside eastern ukraine. so, yes, a lot of tension between the two sides, the various sites here and the part of the kremlin in regards to what's happening in ukraine. >> matthew, there continue to be discussions about sanctions, mo more sanctions, does that seem to be much of a deterrent for putin? >> well, it could be, i mean, certainl

undermining of what our top stories were not confirm reports of at least three deaths in eastern ukraine see the opera mentors as having a green army pushes towards the center of the city went into government taxes remain in control of administrative buildings country's interim interior minister has warned locals to remain indoors. are we bound to keep pressing the crackdown to sam's bring you more from the area. and at the break return to the dance team topped the state received documentary program that's an art international. if you are eating came to this report. i knew. i eye the rule the american humanist association is really riled up over that one very famous chunk of the pledge of allegiance that was added to fight the contest in the cold war that says that america's one nation under god. they claim that the inclusion of god which makes it seem like atheists in america are second class b tricks and extremist anti atheist prejudices. well this really depends on how you see the united states is that some sort of neutral ground where anyone with any police can go i mean a lot of peo

polling stations in parts of eastern ukraine opened. separatists hold a widely condemned referendum on self-rule. these are live pictures from donetsk. >>> self proclaimed leaders in donetsk and luhansk are going ahead with the vote despite calls from russia to oppose it. >> the african national congress wins a fifth term in south africa's elections, taking 52% of the vote. >>> michael sam is the first openly gay player in america's national football league. he finished college this year and made headlines in february when announcing he was gay. >> more on the referendum in ukraine. >>> the crimean peninsula voted in march to become part of russia, kiev, the u.s. and e.u. say russia annexed the territory in an unfair poll. they have come under attacks since, and worry about the votes in the east - what they'll bring. we have this report from sevastopol >>> at this historic mosque it's a big day for the crimean tatar couple. this place was part of ukraine previously. now crimea is under russian control, it's less than a happy union betwe

eastern ukraine. polling is following the referendum across paul's regions updating you via twitter feed and even one of her latest posts just as in lugansk people in several districts cannot avoid because of military vehicles blocking the polling stations check out her feed for the moment how the referendum is going. polling stations have opened on time in the city of slovyansk despite continuing military raids several self-defense checkpoints were attacked near slavyansk during an overnight raid but the interim government says the army's operations are now in their final stage so. so reports say both shots are a mixture of gunfire and explosions those on the checkpoint say the army fired mortars spoken to some of the locals who are still shaken by the experience. to refire with the earth and the house i've been trying to cover people at the checkpoints but we don't because there is no person in the area and it's too dangerous to speak and. well there is no letup in the fighting the battles and attac

in eastern ukraine gun battles resuperintendented. four ukrainian soldiers have been killed and a helicopter has been shot down. >>> young blood, might have the ability to reverse aging. scientists tested the vampire theory on mice. they say transfusing blood from young ones helped the older mice with mental and physical conditions. >>> conditions are set to get worst for firefighters battling a wildfire in oklahoma city. the firefighters are battles high winds and dry conditions. this wildfire started with a controlled burn that spread out of control. those are the headlines. i'm richelle carey. "america tonight" is up next. and you can always get the latest news on our website, aljazeera.com. ♪ >> on "america tonight." blood in the streets. what began as open rebellion in eastern ukraine is looking more and more like a civil war. >> my house was hit from two directions. windows have bullet holes in them. ukrainukrainians are destroying. >> leaving victims at risk.

events are moving quickly in eastern ukraine. government troops have launched a military operation against pro russian separatists. that's around the eastern city of sloviansk. a move described by moscow as punitive, what's happening there. in the past hour, officials in the giant mining and industrial area around donetsk say pro russian separatists have taken control of this center for the areas railways. effectively stopping all train services in that area. sarah is there in donetsk. i asked her if this is a potentially ominous development. >> reporter: difficult to know what to read into it for the moment. it comes after a number of insulations here, key buildings, local governments, prosecutor's office, other buildings in donetsk itself taken over by pro russian groups. so this is the latest in that sense. it also comes after the interior minister in kiev put out a statement can which n which he did say trains in the region would be stopped by the ukrainian government imminently, he said. the terrorist operation was underway,

pro russian separatist solidify their grip on the eastern ukraine teething. voters in iraq go to the whole supplying deadly attacks. and the man tipped to become india's next prime minister has cast his ballot at a later stage the country. boy or a fast moving events in ukraine today with the peace now slipping away from central control. kiev says it wants to hold a national referendum on territorial integrity. but the move might be too little too late for the pro russian separatists who now control key cities and towns and are demanding secession will be live with our reporter for more on that shortly. it also looks like there could be some progress in efforts to free the international observers being held by pro russian militants. so the ants still behind barricades. pro russian separatists are firmly in control of the town center and two comes and goes here. seven osce observers are still being held hostage there. it's unclear if and when they'll be released negotiations continue between the towns self proclaimed mayor and osce representatives. so far they

live in eastern ukraine. we are hearing the same thing coming across the associated press wires as well. let's go back to fox news analyst kt mcfarland for a lot more on this closely watched election in ukraine. kt, it sounds like the polls are indicating he'll be the outright winner possibly not in need of a runoff which would have come in mid-june. tell us what we need to know about him, how he will be able to deal with putin or not, what his relationship is with the west. what do we know? >> reporter: okay. he's called the candy king. that's how he's made his billions is in chocolates and candy. so he has to be a sweet guy to cut the deal he's got to cut to go forward. really to me the winner of all this is putin because he now has domination and more or less operational control over eastern ukraine. that's where all the goodies are. eastern ukraine is where the oil, natural gas, coal, energy industry is, military factories are, that's what russia wants out of this. and they got what they've wanted. these