SLOVIANSK, May 02. /ITAR-TASS/. Defenders of the east Ukrainian city of Sloviansk have downed two Ukrainian helicopters that resulted in the death of one pilot and taking of the second one to the hospital, a representative of police told ITAR-TASS by phone on Friday.

“Two helicopters were downed. One helicopter is Mil Mi-24, the second one is most likely Mi-8. One pilot died and the second one was wounded and taken to the city central hospital,” he said.

According to the Sloviansk policeman, the situation in the city is alarming, “A full mopping-up operation has started at 5am (2am GMT) in the city. A landing force was dropped from a helicopter in the centre of the city and engaged in fighting with support of helicopters. Armoured vehicles entered the outskirts of the city.”

After that Ukrainian Air Force has suspended flights over the city of Sloviansk, some inactivity set in the city. Neither explosions nor shootings are heard in the city, ITAR-TASS reported by phone from Sloviansk. Cellular phone communications operate well.

The self-defence forces in the city, including at the Ukrainian Security Service regional branch, are on high alert. However, no clashes are reported in the centre of the city at 8am local time (5am GMT).

Meanwhile, a shootout broke out near a TV broadcasting tower early in the morning. No wounded people were reported, it is only clear that Ukrainian army units failed to put this facility under their control.