The Ukrainian army has begun a special operation against pro-autonomy activists in the eastern town of Slavyansk. The city is now blockaded by the Ukrainian military, with 20 helicopters reportedly deployed to crack down on self-defense forces. Two more helicopters have been shot down by self-defense forces, according to reports. Earlier, two helicopters were reportedly shot down, with one pilot dead and another one captured, RIA Novosti news agency reported. This information was confirmed by Ukraine's coup-appointed Interior Minister Arsen Avakov. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has also stated that they control ten checkpoints in Slavyansk. Reports have emerged that the Kiev forces are also going to attack Kramatorsk which is 19 kilometers away. One protester was killed, and another one injured during the attack on the city, say self-defense forces. Also, a journalist's car has reportedly been fired on, according to RT's Paula Slier who is trying to reach the scene, but the Ukrainian army seems to be blocking all entrances to the city - and even Kramatorsk. The Slavyansk self-defense leader said that helicopters were firing on the city with missiles, but that there have been no reports of damage, Interfax stated. Slavyansk self-defense forces told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian military had attacked several positions. "The attack is targeting a few checkpoints at the same time. A few armored vehicles and airborne combat vehicles arrived and airborne troops descended from the helicopters and attacked the checkpoints. Some forces were dropped off around the train station, where we didn't have anyone," RIA Novosti quoted the press secretary of the Slavyansk self-defense units as saying.
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