Four killed, 9 injured in Ukraine shelling, as rebels celebrate 'Flag Day'
- 10 years ago
A symbolic "Victory March" in the self-proclaimed Donetsk people's republic, in eastern Ukraine.
It's normally played in Russia to celebrate its victory in World War II.
Some 600 separatist sympathizers watch as the flag of this rebel stronghold rises over Lenin square -- on this, the region's first 'Flag Day'.
(SOUNDBITE) SELF-PROCLAIMED DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC LEADER, ALEXANDER ZAKHARCHENKO, SAYING:
"We all will remember this day. Today the liberation of our land begins."
Eastern Ukraine is living out a shaky ceasefire between pro-Russian rebels and government troops, in an armed uprising that began in March and has killed over 3,700 people.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DONETSK RESIDENT, NADEZHDA, SAYING:
"I am happy that we are starting to get out of this situation gradually. And that despite all of these (things) the people are living and being happy."
The scene was anything but happy in another part of Donetsk, where shelling the day bef
It's normally played in Russia to celebrate its victory in World War II.
Some 600 separatist sympathizers watch as the flag of this rebel stronghold rises over Lenin square -- on this, the region's first 'Flag Day'.
(SOUNDBITE) SELF-PROCLAIMED DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC LEADER, ALEXANDER ZAKHARCHENKO, SAYING:
"We all will remember this day. Today the liberation of our land begins."
Eastern Ukraine is living out a shaky ceasefire between pro-Russian rebels and government troops, in an armed uprising that began in March and has killed over 3,700 people.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DONETSK RESIDENT, NADEZHDA, SAYING:
"I am happy that we are starting to get out of this situation gradually. And that despite all of these (things) the people are living and being happy."
The scene was anything but happy in another part of Donetsk, where shelling the day bef