VICE News

Anger Over Odessa Reaches Donetsk: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 34) (2x37)

: 07, 2014

As the Ukrainian military launches an offensive on the rebel-held town of Sloviansk, members of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) are continuing a campaign of government building takeovers. On Sunday, DPR protesters were able to take the military prosecutor's office and a local council building. VICE News followed the group as members burned the Ukrainian flag and arrested a suspected provocateur. The man was seen being bundled into a car while covered in blood, his destination unknown. DPR protesters headed to a government debt collection office on Monday and delivered an ultimatum to freeze the discovery of listed debts by PrivatBank — Ukraine's largest bank — in Donetsk. The bank has stopped operating in the Donetsk region, citing alleged intimidation of its staff. This has led to long lines outside branches as people desperately try to withdraw money.