Five killed in eastern Ukraine clash

Five people were killed Sunday during a clash between gunmen and pro-Russia protestors in eastern Ukraine's town of Sloviansk, a media report said.

A group of unidentified gunmen attacked a checkpoint controlled by pro-Russia elements, resulting in the death of three protestors and two gunmen, Xinhua reported.

Tensions in eastern Ukraine have been escalating last weekend following an armed confrontation between Ukrainian security forces and pro-Moscow protestors, who demanded a referendum on autonomy and closer ties with Russia.

Concerned about the situation in eastern Ukraine, the US, Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union (EU) concluded talks in Geneva Thursday after signing a statement, asking all sides to refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions as part of initial steps to restore order in the country.