Avakov delivers ultimatum to separatists

The Ukrainian authorities are ready to amnesty those, who seized buildings, but didn't commit grave offences.

Interior minister Arsen Avakov has announced the demands of the Anti-Terrorist Centre to separatists.

The Interior Ministry wants separatists to lay down weapons, free all hostages, free the seized administration buildings and stop disorders and violence, lb.ua reports.

The Ukrainian authorities are ready to amnesty the participants of the civil conflict and attacks on administration buildings, who didn't commit serious violent crimes.

“We are ready to negotiate with the protesters and their representatives. But terrorists and armed separatists cannot avoid punishment,” the interior minister said.

The anti-terrorist operation continues in Slovyansk. “Nine checkpoints of terrorists in Slovyansk have been taken under control. The town is surrounded,” interior minister Arsen Avakov said in Slovyansk.

Two Ukrainian helicopters were shot down by separatists during the operation. Two Ukrainian servicemen and one separatist were killed.