Pro-Russian activists said more than 20 armed members were killed and 15 others injured during the Ukrainian forces’ renewed crackdown on the pro-Russian stronghold of Slavyansk on Monday.
In a statement, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry also said four government troops were killed and 30 others wounded in the clashes.
According to reports, pro-Moscow forces are currently moving to the center of Slavyansk as the Ukrainian army is entering the city.
Meanwhile, in the Black Sea port city of Odessa, anti-government demonstrators pledged to occupy official buildings three days after over 50 people were killed in a fire at a trade union building allegedly set by pro-Kiev activists.
The deadly clashes continue in eastern Ukraine as the Kiev authorities have insisted that they will continue with their controversial “anti-terrorist operations” in the region.
On April 17, Kiev’s interim government together with the United States, Russia and the European Union reached an agreement in the Swiss city of Geneva, calling for all sides to ease tensions in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, a few days later, Ukraine's acting government ordered a re-launch of its military operations in the eastern and southern regions in a bid to root out the pro-Moscow demonstrations.
Tensions in Ukraine heightened after Crime declared independence from Kiev and formally applied to become part of the Russian Federation following a referendum in March.
RA/NJF