The Ukrainian army smashed rebel checkpoints outside the city of Slaviansk as it launched an operation to take back government buildings being held by pro-Russian separatists. The rebels shot down 2 helicopters and heavily damaged a third in what's being described as the most intensive effort yet to win back the city. Ominous warnings from Moscow made it clear that it may just be a matter of time before Russian troops cross the border to intervene. Reuters: Ukrainian officials said troops overran rebel checkpoints around the city in an operation launched before dawn and it was now "tightly encircled". They pointed to the heavy fire that hit the helicopters as proof of the presence of Russian forces, despite repeated denials from Moscow that it has troops on the ground or is controlling the uprising. Putin's spokesman heaped blame on the Ukrainian government, which took power two months ago after pro-Western protests forced the Kremlin-backed elected...(Read Full Post)