The Ukrainian government and pro-Russia insurgents report at least two deaths on the pro-Russia side during clashes in east Ukraine.



The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement that military and special police forces killed "up to five terrorists" on Thursday while destroying three checkpoints on a road north of the city of Slovyansk.


A spokeswoman for the Slovyansk insurgents, Stella Khorosheva, said she could confirm that at least two pro-Russia fighters were killed.


The fighting was the first since acting President Oleksandr Turchynov on Tuesday ordered the resumption of military operations in east Ukraine, where pro-Russia protesters and masked gunmen have seized government buildings and set up checkpoints along the roads.