DONETSK, April 24. /ITAR-TASS/. Mobilization of supporters of the federal Ukraine has been announced in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region in connection with a punitive operation the Kiev authorities kick-started in the region’s city of Sloviansk, a representative from the leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic reports.

“An all-arms operation has been launched in Sloviansk. This means just one thing — a civil war,” local media quoted him as saying.

The “active phase” of a punitive operation by the Kiev authorities began on the outskirts of Sloviansk early on Thursday. Armored vehicles move towards the city, and snipers take their positions. Fire was opened on units of self-defense movement protesting against the new authorities in Kiev. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says five protesters were killed.