Battle for Mariupol

Ukrainian forces launched their battle to reclaim the port city of Mariupol at dawn.

Just after mid-morning local time the interior minister announced the Ukrainian flag had been raised once more over city hall.

A ministry aide said government forces had stormed the pro-Russian separatists after surrounding them and giving them 10 minutes to surrender.

The government said a long stretch of territory along the border with Russia had also been re-taken.

At least five separatists and two servicemen were killed in the fighting.

Later in the day members of a pro-Ukrainian militant group said they'd captured 32 separatists.

The Azov squadron, which is not officially affiliated to Ukraine's armed forces, said it would take the captives to the city's airport for questioning.

The advances are significant victories for Ukraine's leadership in its military operation to crush a rebellion that began in the east in April.

Parallel attempts towards peac