Ukraine says operation underway to end separatist grip on eastern town

Ukrainian security forces have launched an "anti-terrorist" operation to end the grip of separatists on an eastern town, Ukraine's interior minister said on Sunday.

"An anti-terrorist operation has begun in Slavyansk. It is being directed by the anti-terrorist centre of the state security service. Forces from all the security units of the country have been brought in," Interfax news agency quoted the minister, Arsen Avakov, as saying on his Facebook page.

(Writing by Richard Balmforth; Editing by Robert Birsel)