SLOVIANSK, May 6. /ITAR-TASS/. Ten civilians and self-defense activists were killed and 25 people wounded as a result of the punitive operation carried out by Ukrainian servicemen near Sloviansk (Donetsk region) on Monday, May 5. Some of the injured are in a critical condition, according to a representative of Sloviansk self-defense forces.

He added that people died in a shootout opened by Ukrainian armed forces in the Semyonovka village, where a fight between Ukrainian servicemen and militiamen took place on Monday morning. Four armored vehicles of the Ukrainian army opened fire at checkpoints of the self-defense forces.

In addition, the source dismissed reports of some media outlets with reference to parliament-appointed Interior Minister of Ukraine Arsen Avakov saying that 30 members of self-defense forces were killed as a result of the punitive action.

The situation in Sloviansk is calm so far. There were no armed clashes at night and in the morning, and no shooting was heard.