Citing "naked aggression" from pro-Russian militias, interference from outside forces and a rapidly deteriorating situation in the country's south and east, Ukraine moved Thursday to reinstate military conscription, according to dpa. The move came as multiple injuries were reported when pro-Russian forces swept aside security forces and stormed a government building, this time in the disputed eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, according to the Interfax news agency. It was also against the backdrop of continued efforts to secure freedom for a group of Western military observers who have been held hostage by the separatist groups for almost a week. The move to reinstate military conscription indicates Ukraine is worried about the ability of its military to control the separatist movement. It comes a day after acting President Oleksandr Turchynov warned that the country was losing control of its more heavily ethnic Russian regions. It also comes only half a year after the country did away with conscription. The mandatory military service will resume either this month or the next. Turchynov signed the decree reinstating mandatory military service, citing "danger to the territorial integrity" and a need to protect against the "naked aggression" of pro-Russian militias and other forces "interfering in domestic matters." Men aged 18 to 25 are once again required to perform military service. In Donetsk, Interfax reported that security forces guarding a building housing the state prosecutor's offices dropped their batons and shields after they came under attack by masked activists throwing stones, petrol bombs and firecrackers. The officers departed through a "corridor of shame" lined by the protesters, who then hoisted the flag of their self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk on top of the building. An armoured car was forced to turn around by the demonstrators. The protesters also accused the prosecutor of being in Kiev's pocket. Injuries were reported on both sides. Members of the pro-Russian movement in Ukraine advocate breaking away and joining Russia. Towards that end, they have staged protests across a number of cities and occupied several government facilities. Thursday's clash in Donetsk came after thousands of pro-Russian activists marched through the city's streets, demanding to split from Ukraine and join Russia, as the province of Crimea did earlier this year. A vote on separating from Ukraine has been set for May 11. On the diplomatic front, attention remained focused on the group of military observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe held captive in Sloviansk. -- SPA 21:09 LOCAL TIME 18:09 GMT تغريد
