Arsen Avakov

(Newser) - The biggest remaining statue of Lenin in Ukraine came crashing down in the eastern city of Kharkiv yesterday as thousands of nationalist demonstrators cheered and scrambled for souvenirs. The city, Ukraine's second biggest, is largely Russian-speaking but hasn't experienced the same unrest as other eastern cities. After protesters...

(Newser) - Ukrainian special forces, backed by helicopters and at least 10 armored vehicles, have launched an offensive near the separatist-held city of Slovyansk. So far the fighting has been at checkpoints outside the city, where the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said military and police had killed "up to five terrorists."...

(Newser) - Crimea first, eastern Ukraine next? Pro-Russia protesters last night seized government buildings in the cities of Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk in Ukraine's largely Russian-speaking east, waving Russian flags and demanding a referendum on joining Russia, reports Reuters. In Donetsk, separatists have dubbed the region an independent republic, and have...

(Newser) - Ukraine's elite Berkut anti-riot police unit has been disbanded by the country's acting interior minister after the unit was accused of brutality and blamed for the deaths of protesters. Arsen Avakov said he will give more details about what will happen to the 4,000 to 5,000...