You're reading: Ukrainian forces reclaim television tower in Sloviansk (VIDEO)

 During Ukraine's anti-terrorism operation to reclaim eastern cities from Kremlin-backed control, Ukraine’s soldiers made an assault to take back state buildings in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk from Russian rebels on May 3. 

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on his facebook account that National Guard and Interior troops restored control at night over television tower, and early on May 4 will continue to advance after the fatal clashes on the southeast.

Two men from the TV tower guard, sitting on the ground with tied hands, said that unknown men with guns and St. George’s ribbons (a symbol of Soviet, then Russian, military forces), took control over the television station to rebroadcast Russian channels. “Up to five of them were all the time, two controlled from
the roof. They threatened us and did warning shootings”, said one of the
eyewitnesses. TV tower guard worked during the militant invasion locked in
building.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, Ukrainian channels’ broadcasts were disabled
by insurgents, who allowed only Russian channels (NTV, ORT, Russia 24) and a newly created one provided by a court decision in Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. Zurab
Alasania, head of National Television Company of Ukraine, reported on his
facebook account that Ukrainian television will be restored on May 4.  

Ukraine’s anti-terrorist operation in the east scores some success over the weekend.

Kyiv Post staff writer Oksana Torhan can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @OksanaTorhan.