Kremlin: ‘Thousands’ Beg For Help

Pro-Russia militants free international observers

BLADE NEWS SERVICES

SLOVYANSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian security forces pressed their assault to try to reclaim the pro-Russia stronghold of Slovyansk on Saturday, even as the militants freed seven European military observers and the Kremlin cited the deaths of dozens of people in Odessa as proof that Ukraine could no longer protect its citizens.

The Kremlin is receiving “thousands” of calls for assistance from Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine, a spokesman said on Saturday, but the Russian government has not yet decided on a response.

“People are calling in despair, asking for help. The overwhelming majority demand Russian help,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said. “All these calls are reported to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin.”

The Kremlin, however, has not yet decided how to respond, Mr. Peskov said.

He said Russian authorities have lost their ability to influence pro-Russia militants in eastern Ukraine and that they would not be able to resolve the situation alone.

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