ESCALATING

Ukraine Vows to Combat Pro-Russia Forces

"Active phase" of military operations.

Although some progress was made towards reconciliation on Saturday when pro-Russian separatists freed seven European military observers, Ukrainian officials made it clear that they would not halt their military efforts to reclaim the eastern region of the country. "We are not stopping," vowed Ukraine's interior minister Minister Arsen Avakov. He said Saturday the military operation centered in the city of Kramatorsk was in an "active phase." The situation in Ukraine has grown increasingly violent in recent days. On Friday, violence spun out of control in Odessa, where 46 people were killed in street battles that Ukrainian officials were unable to contain.