The attack took place near Kramatorsk in Donetsk region. A TV report in Kiev cited paratroopers claiming “snipers and bandits simply finished off wounded Ukrainian soldiers. The paras have vowed to take revenge.”
Donetsk and Luhansk have declared themselves separate from Ukraine after referendums which Kiev, the EU and US say are illegal. Talks aimed at reaching a settlement over the disputed regions were due to start in Kiev.
The government and official regional leaders will take part, but pro-Russia separatists have refused to attend, undermining their chance of success.
A poll released today found a majority of Ukrainians believe they are at war with Russia. The survey for think thank the Razumkov Centre reported that 56 per cent think war had begun. Of these, 77 per cent blamed Russia. Russia denies encouraging unrest.
