two groups of heavily armed men glare at each other of the now they are killing each other and eastern ukraine is looking more ungovernable. it's "inside story." ♪ music ] hello, i'm ray suarez, for weeks there has been little you could say about the situation in ukraine that would stand up for more than 24 hours. it's been a moving target. hard to predict and define. think, in five months it's moved from a tilt towards moscow in kiev to counterdemonstrations that pulled down the government of viktor yanukovych to a creeping russia, to the eruption of protests across eastern ukraine, to what we have today, a situation inching closer to all-out fighting to russian alined irregular forces and ukranian military forces. as uptions and storming the buildings spread, the kiev government threatened retaliation and publicly acknowledged it lost before the fighting began. when the ukrainian government fought back, russia, a foreign country, warned ukraine about trying to reoccupy its open government buildings on its own soil. the tempo of fighting is increasing and people continue to die. >> reporter:

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

support for a referendum to be held the 11th of may which is supposed to decide the future of eastern ukrainehis region stays in ukraine or votes for independence. >> reporter: this is one of the organizers people are are handing out. it's calling for a referendum and presents a stark choice. they say it's about employment, price rises. as with the people's republic here in donetsk, it talks about economic ties with russia. not political but economic specifically. saying that wages will rise and so will pensions. now the crowd shouting russia, russia. a lot of support for closer ties with russia. >> this is a peaceful meeting. there's no sign of armed men we've seen in other towns. this is what organizers say are a chance to express opinions. the strongest opinions from the crowd and speakers on the stage is that government in kiev doesn't represent them. >> bbc there in eastern ukraine. >>> now crews in south korea continuing their grim tasks of recovering bodies from the the ferry which sank off the jindo island two weeks ago. fears are growing some bodies may never be found. the prime mini

the rub rub of -- republic of korea is concern over the increasing tensions in eastern ukraine. espite the agreement reached in geneva on 17 april, the situation in ukraine is showing no sign of abating. we are particularly alarmed by the fresh violence erupted overnight, including violent attacks targeting two government helicopters by illegal armed groups. we strongly condemn these attacks that resulted in the death of two ukrainians. such instance point to a serious deterioration in the situation, and provocative actions and rhetoric aimed at destabilizing ukraine must cease immediately. in neither of the ongoing situation in ukraine we reiterate that constructive dialogue between all concerned parties will be the only way to achieve a peaceful solution. in this regard we call for all parties to the geneva statement to implement their commitment. we also fully support the secretary general's good offices and diplomatic initiatives. we hope that usg's upcoming visit to ukraine and russia will contribute to the de-escalating of tensions on the ground. with the important election

korea is deeply concerned over the continuing tensions in eastern ukraine. espite the agreement reached in geneva on 17 april, the situation in ukraine is showing no sign of abating. we are particularly alarmed by the fresh violence erupted in a city overnight, including file it attacks targeting two government helicopters i illegal armed groups. we strongly condemn these attacks that have resulted in ukrainians. tw0 such situations are s deteriorations. in light of the ongoing situation in ukraine, we reiterate that constructive dialogue between all concerned parties will be the only way to achieve a peace. lucian. in this regard we call for all parties to the geneva statement to implement their commitments. we also fully support the secretary-general's good offices and diplomatic initiatives. upcoming visit to ukraine and russia will contribute to de-escalation of tensions on the grant. with important elections scheduled in may, it is still all the more important to ensure the environment conducive to free and fair elections in the country without intervent

the polls are now open in eastern ukraine as we have shown you. voters casting their ballots right now on a controversial referendum. coming up, we'll bring you a live report from ukraine. plus, how a bearded drag queen stole the show. up. a short word that's a tall order. up your game. up the ante. and if you stumble, you get back up. up isn't easy, and we ought to know. we're in the business of up. everyday delta flies a quarter of million people while investing billions improving everything from booking to baggage claim. we're raising the bar on flying and tomorrow we will up it yet again. and this park is the inside of your body. see the special psyllium fiber in metamucil actually gels to trap some carbs to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. metamucil. 3 amazing benefits in 1 super fiber. >>> welcome back, everyone. police in the u.s. state of virginia are looking for a third person that was riding in a hot air balloon when it burst into flames. two bodies have been recovered, but a heavily wooded area is hampering the search. erin mcpi

declared need for so-called peace keepers in crimea, we won't accept any unilateral to eastern or southern ukraine. the polling indicates that the separatists do not speak for the populations of eastern and southern ukraine. more than two thirds of ukrainians in the east report they plan to vote in the may 25th election. they don't want little green men or separatists or moscow deciding for them. with more than 20 candidates running, representing every viewpoint and every region in ukraine, these elections offer ukrainians a real democratic choice. that's why the united states and europe and international community are working so hard with the government of ukraine to help them ensure free and fair elections do take place across ukraine. all toll the, the osce office of democratic institutions and hul an rights, deploying 1,000 observers to monitor elections and united states will provide 1/10th of these and other states are contributing. the united states is also supporting 255 long-term observers and over 3,000 short-term observers, some of whom will provide a parallel vote tab lags. three fair

now, at this moment, it's just past noon in eastern ukraine. that's where the standoff between the country's military and pro-russia activists has taken an even more violent turn in recent weeks. the interior minister says it's offensive to drive out what it calls terrorists from slovyansk. on friday, at least nine people were killed, including the pilots of two helicopters shot down by pro-russia separatists. the violence has spread to the southern port city of odessa as well. you're seeing some of the images into us from there. activists who support the government in kiev slashed with pro-russia supporters. a fire at a trade union building, that's what you're looking at now, killed at least 31 people. and we have these new developments into cnn. a team of military observers from the organization for security and cooperation in europe, the osce, they've been held captive in eastern ukraine for more than a week. well, there are reports now that they have been freed. pro-russia separatists accuse them of being nato spies. senior international co

in the context of the crisis in eastern ukraine, it has the right of self-defense, ukraine.the intervention is a clear violation of international law. peacekeeping as a cover for him lawful military intervention. there is no evidence that the ukrainian government has targeted officials or threatened russia in any way. in stark contrast to the actions to destabilize ukraine. it should come to the un security council and cq n peacekeepers. the right to not being threatened, their ability to use language and have it recognized by the government is not being threatened. it is their methods that have been intentionally provocative and threatening. they are not pressing their case peacefully. they use clubs and knives. these are armed operatives. since the beginning of this crisis, the ukrainian government has acted in good faith and with admirable restraint. the area around city hall is clear of barricades and protesters. ukraine voluntarily suspended its counterterrorism initiative, choosing to de-escalate for its own people. even today, as it tries to lawfully restore order, uk

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

. >> >>> 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

and eastern ukraine kathleen highly armed militants on the ground and the only military in the east of the country russian support any laptop with masterminding the council that forced a change of power always lead to stimulate the sham and that russia had suggested a variety of formats for dialogue throughout the crisis would never deny the implementation of any agreement that have been reached thing that is why the left uses against russia can also be a selective interpretation of one's own position on the seat pointing at washington's position anticipation in the wind and tomorrow. the council meeting this friday with russia calling the council to agree that all of its members are interested in the hole to violence as i've recently read in geneva rt the insight into us foreign policy as it relates to the situation in ukraine i want to bring in colonel lawrence wilkerson former chief of staff to secretary of state colin powell curl up in your team what is the best thing for us to do right now and its own interest and in the

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

we think rather direct dialogue between kiev authorities and representatives of south eastern ukraine is a key element of resolving the crisis. we call on representatives of south east ukraine. the supporters of the finalization of the country to postpone the referendum plan. the male lead and this year. russian separatists in eastern ukraine have been taken over government buildings and demanding greater autonomy from key in recent weeks paul says that violence must be stopped and that the use of military force and aren't illegal units extremist elements and forces was unacceptable adding that moscow had been told its troops from the border with ukraine. you've always been told that our forces on the ukrainian border concern we have withdrawn. and they are now in places of regular exercise and training ground also previously said that holding elections in ukraine in current conditions was absurd. in what appears to be a softer stance when it was called presidential elections in ukraine the mood in the right direction to choose which are delish too. but they won't solve anything if al

this is especially timely considering the development of events in the eastern ukraine. let not the case of the content of this operation is being kindly held. last night has not been common ukraine. in my silk lace effect is then to office of one of the ukrainian banks and is trying to but catching up on to office in the month to practice it will ease to activists call for unity of ukraine and the minister of internal affairs confirms that gunshots had been hurt in the anthology night. any city buildings remain captured in vignettes and fights continued into the center of finance. it is to be reminded that life people i killed since renounced and six income of christ and a number of ukrainian soldiers would it as it was soccer and tennis operation helmet cam. it is null and calm that the terrorists losses on humans. the mind on the development of events during recent days. in this county. anti operation is to progress in sudan's capital markets. i want your needs of the queen in europe who forces her to get all twelve checkpoints. this lead to premature and talented i am

the russians have a lot of leverage in eastern ukraine to destabilize them further. e election is a positive step forward. >> ricks would say that the united states supports the imf. the imf supports the foundations of economic ukraine. are the american taxpayers the conduit to ukraine to keep them going through the summer? >> the imap support is in spite what the ukraine -- the extent going to the imf, then yes. all imf members. china as well. is a geopolitical issue. >> you can catch the rest of chuck hagel's interview with charlie rose tonight at 8:00 on bloomberg television. tom and i will be right back with more surveillance. ♪ >> this is "bloomberg surveillance." scarlet fu with tom keene and adam johnson. our guest host is alex kliment of eurasia group. four states now have questions ebay following that cyber attack. asking if they will provide free credit monitoring. google is report that developing a tablet with advanced vision capabilities. the wall street journal says google will make 4000 prototypes starting next month. they will have two cameras, depth se

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

they said 70% of eastern ukraine wants to remain part of ukraine.e these numbers with extreme suspicion. out toeople who showed vote to yes, there were clear plastic voting policy -- clear clear plastic voting boxes. did we learn from the referendum that helps us prepare for those may 25 presidential elections? people in the east can vote. vote to be ass a legitimate as possible. if it is not possible to vote in you can havehen russia saying we do not accept the result of this vote. the real challenge is to create conditions where as many of the people who want to vote can vote on may 25. >> thank you so much. this off the coast of crimea. vladimir putin was in attendance. our guest host was robert kerry -- guest host is robert kerry from nebraska. he served on the u.s. navy land air team. of the the symbolism leader of russia looking at his navy off the shores? >> it is a significant challenge this has been a contentious area for a long time. i agree with the previous commentator. what putin is doing is stirring up nationalism. we are going back to

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 communities of donetsk and its surrounds. the only answer a tick for yes to the idea of their own people's republic. opinion polls suggest that popular support for the idea is low. we found it divided at level. >> translation: i'll vote yes in the referendum. i want peace. i don't want to west to come here, shooting at our kids. >> i'm not going to vote. of course it will have an impact on us. >> i won't go and vote. it's not that i support it, i don't find the referendum l

in africa and how to combat boko haram. >> the government in kiev calls the referendum held in eastern ukraine a far as. the e.u. is meeting to go over additional sanctions against russia. the people who live in those eastern provinces overwhelmingly decided to break away from on ukraine and must now weigh joining russia. >> according to election officials, a sweeping majority apartmented for sovereignty. it's the way they voted across cities in eastern ukraine, like slovyansk. >> the e.u. and u.s. won't recognize the votes, which they all illegal. >> transparency, properly conducted with a public referendum, and the people organizing them didn't even pretend to meet standards. the important thing is that the ukrainian elections go ahead on the 25 of may. >> while the rushed elections were mostly peaceful. [ gunfire ] >> gunman said to be ukrainian national guard opened fire on a crowd. as for what's next in eastern regions, including following crimea in a russian annexation, it remakes unclear. last week, russian president vladimir putin called for the referendum to be postponed, saying he wo

not just eastern ukraine, in ukraine as a whole.e 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 wa

shows that most ukrainians including ukrainians including most russian speakers in these areas in eastern ukraine want to remain part of the night ukraine they do not want to break away. where are these people were not hearing from them a lot of them are either keeping their mouth shut because they fear the consequences. they're staying at home they're not showing up in the streets so my my hunch would be with this referendum if it's not out great falsify the results whatever the result does not end up being. it's not going to actually reflect the wheel of the majority of residents here. i was not seeing the match between the fate of the majority of damage control that may need to go to timeout that what i'm saying is that some people you tend to agree the one we read coach we vote in favor of the christian hope. this is the heat is gone and he totally didn't expect it to be a very tall for the youth in government because of that song you know. some don't know so we don't the people of principle. they must take that into account on your than it does not show. and so continued to milk a teacher yo

thank you. >> obviously every day we're watching events in eastern ukraine and southern ukraine with deep concern. and i think that what you've seen over the dours of the last several months in the midst of this crisis is remarkable unity between the united states and the european union in the response. we have at the same time offered a diplomatic approach that could resolve this issue. we have been unified in supporting the ukrainian government in kiev, both economically diplomatically and politically and we have said we would apply cost and consequences to the russians if they continued with their actions. that's exactly what we've done. and you saw just over the course of the last week additional sanctions applied both by the europeans and u.s. the next step is going to be a broader base sectoral sanctions regime. and what we have said is that we want to continue to keep open the possibility of resolving the issue diplomatically. but as angela merkel said, if in fact we see the disruptions and the destabilization -- destabilization continuing so severely that it impedes elections

this is especially timely considering the development of advanced in the eastern ukraine wet and not the face of the content of this separation is being kindly held. life has not been common ukraine. in my field i suspect it's the end office of one of the ukrainian banks and is trying to buy catching up on to office in the month to protest released to activists call for unity of ukraine and a minister coming to a live test confirms that gunshots pending against altona. as mr ten buildings remain captured in vignettes and fight continued into the center of finance. it is to be reminded that white people until it is pronounced and six income of dollars and a number of ukrainian style just wanted to. as i was out of it and status operation held am. it is null and calm that the terrorists losses on humans. grandma and auntie development of events during recent days. in this study there was debris she is due in progress. what else can come and go to online during its premium due to forces her to keep all twelve checkpoints. this lead to premature and trumpet. i knew is your work. he would

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

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

is looking out for the security of russian interest, then driving tanks across the border into eastern ukraineould totally defeat the purpose. >> again, not validating anything he has done, but it is an act taking ukraine. it crosses the border and starts churning up the black earth of eastern ukraine. >> in crimea, you mean. >> crimea, sorry. he has taken crimea, bloodless. from a professional point of view, quite artfully. that does not happen if he moves across the border. he wins in 96 hours. history shows ukraine does not take kindly to occupiers. now he will have to live with the reality of russians coming home in body bags. he's got what he needs. i hope he understands all this theater along the border, those are his table stakes. that keeps him in the game, because the russians have legitimate and tristan ukraine. -- they wanted to intended to in future negotiations. he gets that with this posturing. i hope it is nothing more than posturing. the real danger is the pawns in odessa, the pawns now threaten to create and control the movement of the kings and queens. he has to recognize tha

the crt flabby arms eastern ukraine the operation the side pieces because god is still in ukraine into a front recital kong think that's a direct quote from russia's foreign minister has appealed to his us counterpart for washington to use his influence of the kiev. this is his troops against the ukrainians. during a phone conversation the troublesome noted that the european security to the osce could help foster that dialogue needed in between the opposing sides it's going to give a this is the band's release those seven osce for a minute re observers to be detained last week. the group invited by the kiev authorities are well when protest is suspected that they were spies among them. the mobilization thank all parties involved in negotiating the release thanks men with it so much when it come the sa including health service from running a financial favor these days we hear the warning to the government about how cots to be putting lights at risk i read. mornings in the book read. last years of the roman republic. there was an article of faith to the romans but they were the most mora

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

observatory for human rights says the rebels cut water. >>> more on the top story, the referendum in eastern ukraine the o.s.c.e. speaks person for the special monitoring mission in ukraine joins us now, from a monitoring mission. you are not monitoring this referendum. why not? >> well, today is like any other day for our monitors throughout ukraine. they are fanned out across the country and monitor the security situation. what they have been saying in the past few days is an escalation in violence, and the secretary-general head of submission have deployed this operator violence and are calling for the deescalation. >> what will it take for the deescalation to happen. you have been calling for this in germany and france. are you seeing any side from the russian troops, pulling pack from the borders. well, what is important is for dialogue to continue. they've been playing a central role. this coming week you'll see, i think, strong activity from the ukranian government to start a national dialogue with different parties around the table. our mandate is divided into two, one is monitoring and the

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 democratic

celebrating since the russian armies delivered them from the nazis. >> reporter: the push in eastern ukraine to breakaway as well. >> now i understand what they felt during their victory day, and when peace returns to ukraine we'll celebrate their victory day. >> reporter: the day is poignant for those who served in crimea since world war ii. he's proud that people remember that era, but he's thinking of recent events here. >> crimea became russian without the use of any force. there have been stories about people with arms. it's all nonsense. >> reporter: for russia victory day is a day to celebrate the defeat of fascism. many believe that the same struggle is underway in ukraine. and the appearance of their president made this patriotic celebration. important. >> violence ranged in the eastern ukrainian towns. there is conflicting reports of how many people killed with those numbers ranged from 2 to 20, regardless there are even more people injured. it happened as the ukrainian military tried to wrestle control from the russian supporters. >> today's celebrations come two days in the citie

. >> watching them digging trenches in eastern ukraine mistakes one thing of i. >> what has startled he ve hementions of the coverage. >> that's almost a method for the ukraine, situation, itself. >> here is just one example of that: a demonstration in donetsk ends in fighting between pro-and antirussian forces. one story, two versions, depending upon whether the channel you are watching is coming at you from east... >>. >> armed and menacing, the pro-russian camp guarantee they are the absolute authority. >> the russian media is depicting those who overthrew yanukovych as nazis. they are the minority. the russians are well aware of that. they are trying to misrepresent what's going on. war. it's just an exchange of information. but the audience in different parts of the world, of course, can have their own assessment and when some bias is on one side, then you can decide who is on the top in this information media space. >> on the other hand, i think russian press was not completely objective in the sense that especially from the t.v. reports, you might get an impression that all of

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, certainly the next level of sanctions being discussed, the sexual sanctions, the gas sector are likely to be sanctions. so far, the sanctions have been pretty much symbolic. they have been pin pediatrics in terms of the damage they may have caused. certainly not the kind of impact that the russian authorities the kremlin are not prepared to withstand. >> that could change, of course, if the russians decided to go into eastern ukraine or they decide to disrupt the election process the elections due in ukraine on the 25th of may. and so that's possibly something that the russians will want to avoichltd we don't though whether the events are trumping those economic concerns and those co

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

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

hydrogen can thank so much for joining us from donetsk in eastern ukraine is this years now and the economic impact of ukraine's crisis has european officials. laurie and they say although this situation is hurting the russian economy more than a box member states. there are some eu nations that are very vulnerable side trips as much closer to russia at the comedy isn't all that went bust. the country's leader has been discussing the topic with his german counterpart under them and call on this thing isn't it the cypriot president was received with military honors by chancellor mantle. a year ago the economy in cyprus was on the verge of collapse and the eu in the eye and then provided the bailout president because sometimes the artist describes how dependent his donation was on the new id ut. it all but gone by and cheer as oversold even talking to the line because goliath is a benevolent and has never felt like that. it can be put in the school year the president said cyprus was willing in principle to support tougher sanctions on russia in response to the ukraine crisis but he added that

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. four received 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. me on tuesday night dustin and i know. what if it is a key link in the ukraine ukraine on the basis of self determination and commentaries as the bridge they were still learning to use the twentieth of may it's a very crucial thing to learn to love and we will see to it. a scene in nice the time to move on to the mine. the twenty fifth of may is not for the coloration that nobody went on in my state taxes that are eaten by the private sector will be unavoidable but this time when we ask me. she sent a message to the question is which. we are the meek and the song on the ticket collector chance. in it. i know. the nation has described the bench this morning in ea

but now nato is bolstering eastern europe with troops. >> if you had western equipment, deployed on ukraine'sastern frontiers, i think it will make a lot of russian servicemen very uneasy. >> reporter: the need to find a solution is urgent. if there isn't one, the fear is the bridge between east and west, and the 21st century respect for borders could collapse. nick schifrin, al jazeera. >>> nato is considered one of the cornerstones of international peace and stability. now in an exclusive interview, stephanie sy spoke with nato's chief. >> thanks, john, joining me now from brussels is the secretary general of nato. thank you very much for being here on al jazeera, and for spending some time with us. i want to start with something your second in command said recently. he said that nato should treat the russians as an adversary. do you agree with that comment? >> yeah, unfortunately we see russia act more as an adversary than a partner. we strongly regret that, because years ago we decide to develop a a partnership with russia. but it does not act as a partner. >> do you believe their actions

everyone supports us and wants a better solution. >> with that, in the cornes of eastern ukraine, vladimir putin's potential was dismissed. >> translation: i can only expect, and i think all the cities in donetsk agree with us, the separation from ukraine from the donetsk people's republic. >> translation: we are oriented to the european public. all our roots are here in russia. >> with soviet music blaring across the square. this is the music occupied by representatives of the people's republics. after sunday's vote, many here hope it will become the seat of an autonomous government. and the hopes raised by vladimir putin on wednesday of a resolution to this crisis in ukraine appear to be unfounded. >>> we are going to go back to thailand where anti-government protesters forced their way into a government compound. our correspondent veronica pedrosa is standing by for us in the thai capital. not enough for the protesters that the former prime minister yingluck shinawatra is gone. they continue to protest. what are they doing there? >> well, here i am at government house, which is a differ

events are moving quickly in eastern ukraine. ent 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, as he d

>> obviously, every day we are watching the events in eastern ukraine and southern ukraine with concern. i think what you have seen over the course of the last several months in the midst of this crisis is remarkable unity between the united states and the european union and the response. -- at the same time we have offered a diplomatic approach that could resolve this issue. we have been unified in supporting the ukrainian government in kiev both economically and diplomatically and politically and we have said we would apply costs and consequences to the russians if they continued with their actions. that's exactly what we have done. you saw over the course of the last week additional sanctions of light both by the europeans and the u.s. the next step is going to be a broader-based sectoral sanctions regime. what we have said is that we want to continue to keep open the possibility of resolving the issue diplomatically but as angela merkel said, if, in fact, we see the disruptions and the destabilization continuing, so severely that it impedes elections on may 25, we will not have a ch

putin they kiev has been a better job of reaching out to eastern europe or eastern ukraine. you've seen attempts by kiev to propose decentralization of power. and to provide for local elections. and for them to offer amnesty to those who have already taken over these buildings. none of that has been acknowledged by mr. putin or various russian outreaches. you've also seen suggestions or implications americans responsible for meddling in ukraine. i have to say that our only interest is 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 for the german audience who perhaps is tuning into russian tv, i would just advise stay focused on the facts and what is happening on the ground. a few weeks ago mr. putin was denying the russian military was even involved in crimea. a few weeks later he acknowledged it was our guys. there is not the credibility and honesty with the situation there and the willingness to engage seriously resolving these diplomatic issues. our hope is mr. putin recognizes there is a way f

suggesting somehow that the ukrainian government is responsible for the province in eastern ukraine ukraine government has shown remarkable restraint throughout this process obama spoke early after meeting with german chancellor angela merkel and basically dismissed the protests. i get to hear that on third and goal by workout. responsibility for the escalation on my own obama also called for support. the kids crack down on the pokies to the east of ukraine. he called it a move to restore order. a more subtle as a senior lecturer in international relations abbas kids to university things western political heavyweights of the airline's close to their real causes of the chaos in ukraine. he will continue to blame russia as being responsible for this for destabilizing the situation in ukraine by their knew they had a right to destabilize the situation in ukraine a few months ago and helped bring this up which regime to power with the year oh my god riots but now. russia although there is no evidence they claim has no right to destabilize the situation. these are the radicals have not been stop