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MARIUPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian troops have apparently driven pro-Russia separatists out of the buildings they had occupied in the southern port city of Mariupol (mah-ROO'-pahl). It's the second-largest city in a region where armed separatists have declared independence from the government in Kiev.
Ukraine's interior minister says four government troops were wounded in what he called a successful operation.
Today's renewed fighting came as rebel leaders confirmed they had obtained three tanks. Government officials say the tanks were part of a column of armored vehicles that had crossed the border from Russia.
Ukraine and the West have accused Moscow of encouraging the unrest in eastern Ukraine and supporting the separatist fighters. Russia, however, has denied sending troops or weapons to Ukraine and has described the Russian citizens fighting with the separatists as volunteers.
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198-c-17-(David McHugh, AP correspondent)-"of the separatists"-AP correspondent David McHugh reports that it's been confirmed that separatists in eastern Ukraine have got hold of some Russian tanks. (13 Jun 2014)
<<CUT *198 (06/13/14)££ 00:17 "of the separatists"
197-c-13-(David McHugh, AP correspondent)-"amount of gunfire"-AP correspondent David McHugh reports although information is hard to come by on the Mariepol incident, an AP reporter can verify that shooting certainly took place, with vehicles hit in the exchange. ((Mariepol is pronounced MEHR'-ee-OO'-puhl)) (13 Jun 2014)
<<CUT *197 (06/13/14)££ 00:13 "amount of gunfire"
APPHOTO XAZ117: Ukrainian troops from battalion Azov ground men detained at the site of a battle with pro-Russian fighters in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, Friday, June 13, 2014. Ukrainian troops attacked pro-Russia separatists Friday in the southern port of Mariupol, apparently driving them out of buildings they had occupied in the city. About 100 soldiers emerged triumphant from the previously rebel-occupied buildings, shouting the name of their battalion, Azov, and singing the Ukrainian national anthem. (AP Photo/Osman Karimov, pool) (13 Jun 2014)
<<APPHOTO XAZ117 (06/13/14)££
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