KIEV—Ukraine Thursday paused its operation to take back the eastern town of Slovyansk from armed pro-Russia militants amid a “heightened risk” of Russia sending troops into Ukraine, a senior security official in Kiev said.
Seven militants were killed in the operation Wednesday, which was aimed at retaking the town by removing the armed men from government buildings there, the official said. However, there were conflicting reports on the number of dead. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said up to five militants had been killed outside Slovyansk after Ukrainian forces seized three check points on roads into the city.
The operation was “paused to reformulate the plan,” the official said, after the risk of Russian troops crossing the border greatly increased.
Russian officials have criticized the operation, and Russia’s defense minister said it would launch military exercises near its border with Ukraine in response.
