Some Ukrainian soldiers switch sides, and fly Russian flag from armored personnel carriers, some abducted

Kyiv Post, AP, AFP,BBC: 16. April 2014

As Ukraine's anti-terrorist operation against pro-Russian insurgents in Donetsk Oblast enters its second day, reports of Ukrainian troops switching sides have emerged from the city of Kramatorsk.

Kyiv Post Editor's Note: On April 15, Ukraine's military began an anti-terrorist operation against Kremlin-backed insurgents who have taken over numerous government buildings and police headquarters in several cities of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's most populous region where 10 percent of the nation's 45 million people live. 

This morning Ukrainian convoy of APC's was stuck in Kramatorsk. After talking to the crowd soldiers in armoured vehicles, now bearing the Russian flag, have been released and vehicles driven through the eastern Ukraine town of Kramatorsk and the city of Slovyansk. A day after authorities in Kiev launched an operation to oust pro-Moscow separatists. Dozens of armed men in camouflage were seated on top of the three vehicles as 

they drove through Kramatorsk accompanied by a military truck on Wednesday, 

according to Agence France Presse news agency. 

The Associated Press is also reporting that six combat vehicles 

flying Russian flags rolled into Slovyansk, and were "enthusiastically greeted" at pro-Russian checkpoints outside the city.

Ukraine Defense Ministry promises plans to "respond toughly" to abduction of Ukrainian soldiers

The Ukrainian Defense ministry is promising a tough response to separatists who abducted two Ukrainian soldiers in eastern Ukraine, reports Interfax Ukraine.

The soldiers, an officer and a contract solder, were kidnapped while stopping on the side of the road in the city of Krasny Luch in Luhansk Oblast. 

The Defense Ministry's press service released a statement saying that the "leadership of the national defense agency is planning to respond toughly to such actions against servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who swore allegiance to the Ukrainian people and are faithfully performing their designated tasks."

"These activities are carried out in close cooperation with the respective structural units of other law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, which are involved in carrying out anti-terrorist operations," said the ministry's statement. -- Isaac Webb