Russia slams Ukrainian air attack on eastern town

Moscow, May 2 (IANS) Russia slammed Ukraine for its military assault in the eastern town of Sloviansk Friday, saying it would wipe out all hope for the viability of the Geneva agreements.

"During a visit to Minsk, President Vladimir Putin called such a possible operation criminal. Regrettably, the ongoing events have fully confirmed this assessment," Xinhua quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.

Noting that Ukraine had "crossed out" the Geneva agreements reached April 17, Peskov said it is "hardly possible to say today that some may expect at least parts of these agreements to be implemented".

Peskov also said that Moscow was "extremely concerned" over the safety of Russia's presidential special envoy Vladimir Lukin and journalists who were visiting the conflict zone.

Russia's foreign ministry repeated in a statement that "using the army against its own people is a crime and will lead Ukraine to a catastrophe".

Ukraine's acting President Alexander Turchynov Friday launched a full-scale operation in Sloviansk, using aircraft and landing troops against the pro-Russian activists.

The operation came as pro-Russian activists Thursday seized the regional prosecutor's office in the eastern city of Donetsk.

The city of Sloviansk has been completely sealed off.