KYIV. April 18 (Interfax) - Ukrainian paratroopers have destroyed a checkpoint set up by protesters in the village of Serheyevka outside Slovyansk in the Donetsk region, the Kramatorsk.info news website has reported, referring to local residents.
"A woman living in the village of Serheyevka has just told us that gunfire can be heard near the motorway," it said.
Local residents also claim that people dressed in military uniforms, presumably Ukrainian paratroopers, have entered the village.
A checkpoint set up by protesters is believed to have caught fire, the cause of which is not yet known.
One of the eyewitnesses also said that one person had died. This information has not been confirmed officially so far.
"Military helicopters can again be seen flying over Kramatorsk," the website said.
Kramatorsk.info reported later that, "indeed, there was gunfire in the village of Serheyevka, which is located 17 kilometers from Kramatorsk."
"Ukrainian security services opened fire on a checkpoint. Several supporters of the Donetsk people's republic sustained injuries," it said.
These events took place after a helicopter dropped a landing force in this district, the website said.
"Car tires were set on fire on a road leading from Kramatorsk to the scene of the aforementioned events. Local residents got very scared. Some of them even started to pack their belongings. However the situation in the village was stabilized after 10:00 p.m. The Ukrainian security service officers headed back to their military unit and towed away their armored vehicles," it said.