East Ukraine residents caught in middle of anti-terror operation against Kremlin-backed separatists

Описание: Schools in the eastern-Ukrainian, rebel-held city of Slovyansk lie largely deserted as parents keep their children at home fearing an assault on the city by Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian special forces launched a second phase of their operation in the east of the country on Friday by mounting a full blockade of the city which has been over-run by Kremlin-backed militants who aim to create a pretext for Russian annexation. Ukrainian interior minister Arsen Avakov insisted every care was being taken to avoid non-combatant casualties, after Moscow warned it may act if Kyiv used the army against civilians. A helicopter was seen dropping leaflets over the city to warn residents to stay at home.