A Pro-Russian gunman wearing an "Operation Iraqi Freedom - Coalition Forces" jacket guards the barricades on a road leading into Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Monday, May 5, 2014. Ukrainian troops fought pitched gun battles Monday with a pro-Russia militia occupying an eastern city, an apparent escalation of their efforts to bring the region back under government control. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Armed pro-Russian men guard the barricades near the railway in Andreevka, few kilometers south of Slovyansk, Ukraine, Monday, May 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

A Pro-Russian man looks through binoculars as he guards the barricades on a road leading into Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Monday, May 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

An armed Pro-Russian man guards the barricades on a road leading into in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Monday, May 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Pro-Russian armed men guard a checkpoint on a railroad track near the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 6, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Russian lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky, dressed as paratrooper, gestures during meeting with press as he gives his vehicle, a GAZ-2975 Tigr, to pro-Russian activists from eastern Ukraine in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russian lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky, dressed as paratrooper, left, shakes hands with a driver during a meeting with press as he gives his vehicle, a GAZ-2975 Tigr, to pro-Russian activists from eastern Ukraine in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russian lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky, dressed as paratrooper, right, waves to a driver during meeting with press as he gives his vehicle, a GAZ-2975 Tigr, to pro-Russian activists from eastern Ukraine in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

An armed Pro-Russian man stands at a checkpoint in the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 6, 2014. More than 30 pro-Russian separatists were killed in fighting near the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Pro-Russian armed men guard a checkpoint on a railroad track near the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 6, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Pro-Russian gunmen ride their motorcycle in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday May 6, 2014. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov gave the death toll on his Facebook page Tuesday, adding that 20 government troops were also injured during fighting in Slovyansk, a city of 125,000. It was not exactly clear when the deaths took place. Gunbattles around the city Monday were the interim government's most ambitious effort to date to quell weeks of unrest in Ukraine's mainly Russian-speaking east. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A pro-Russian gunman stands next to the old Russia military flag and guards the local administration building in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

An armed pro-Russian man guards the local administration building behind barricades with helmet arranged with flag of self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Pro-Russian gunmen carry their weapons at the local administration building in the center of Slovyansk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

A pro-Russian gunman holds his weapon while guarding the local administration building in the center of Slovyansk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. Gunbattles took place at various positions around the city Monday in what has proven the most ambitious government effort to date to quell unrest in the mainly Russian-speaking east. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

A pro-Russian gunman holds his weapon while guarding the local administration building in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Local citizens collect parts of a downed Ukrainian military helicopter near a small town Raigorodok, outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing Monday during intense fighting in Slovyansk and was later destroyed by Ukrainian troops, who sought to ensure it did not fall into the hands of insurgent forces. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Pro-Russian gunmen hold their weapons as they try to block a military base of Ukrainian riot police in Donetsk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. The pro-Russian insurgent gunmen surrounded the base and said they were holding negotiations with commanders inside to ensure that they did not join forces with government-allied groups. (AP Photo/Alexander Ermochenko)

A pro-Russian militant aims his weapon as a group of gunmen try to block a military base of Ukrainian riot police in Donetsk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Alexander Ermochenko)

Pro-Russian gunmen aim their weapons as they try to block a military base of Ukrainian riot police in Donetsk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Alexander Ermochenko)

A pro-Russian armed separatist stands guard on a street in Donetsk May 6, 2014. Both sides buried their dead on Tuesday as Ukraine slides further towards war, with supporters of Russia and of a united Ukraine accusing each other of tearing the country apart. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin

Pro-Russian armed separatists check a journalist at gunpoint in Donetsk May 6, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin

A pro-Russian armed man guards a street in Donetsk May 6, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin

Ukrainian soldiers stand guard beside an armoured personnel carrier at a checkpoint in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. Ukrainian forces seized the rebel-held city hall in the eastern port city of Mariupol overnight, driving out pro-Russian activists, then withdrew, making no attempt to hold onto the building, witnesses said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A man argues with interior ministry troops at a checkpoint in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Ukrainian soldiers sit on top of armoured personnel carriers at a checkpoint in near the town of Slaviansk, in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

A Ukrainian soldier talks to a man at a checkpoint in near the town of Slaviansk, in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

A man and boy stand in front of a Ukrainian armoured personnel carrier at a checkpoint in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A pro-Russian militant sits atop an armored personal carrier with a Donetsk republic flag rolling through a street in Slovyansk, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Ukrainian military operations that began Monday to expunge pro-Russia forces from the city of Slovyansk were the interim government's most ambitious effort so far to quell weeks of unrest in Ukraine's mainly Russian-speaking east. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

An armed pro-Russia man points his rifle at a car at a checkpoint near the town of Slaviansk, in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Armed pro-Russia men point their weapons at a checkpoint near the town of Slaviansk, in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Pro-Russian armed men stand guard as pro-Russian activists hold a rally near the headquarters of the regional interior ministry to demand the resignation of its head Anatoly Naumenko in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk (L) greets a security personnel member as he arrives to inspect the Ukrainian military grouping near Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Kravchenko/Pool

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk (R) shakes hands with a security personnel member at a check point as he arrives to inspect the Ukrainian military grouping near Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Kravchenko/Pool

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk (R) rides inside a military vehicle as he arrives to inspect the Ukrainian military grouping near Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Kravchenko/Pool

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, left, inspects a Ukrainian army APC on the road at Slovyansk, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Russian President Putin on Wednesday announced that Russia has pulled back its troops from the Ukrainian border, and called on Ukraine’s military to halt operations against pro-Russia activists who have seized government buildings and police stations in cities in eastern Ukraine.(AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko)

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, right, sits on top of an APC as he speak with a Ukrainian soldier at a block post on the road at Slovyansk, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Ukrainian military operations that began Monday to expunge pro-Russia forces from the city of Slovyansk were the interim government's most ambitious effort so far to quell weeks of unrest in Ukraine's mainly Russian-speaking east. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko, Pool)

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk stands in front of Ukrainian soldiers at a block post on the road at Slovyansk, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko, Pool)

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, center, shake hands with a Ukrainian soldier at a block post on the road at Slovyansk, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko, Pool)

People take part in a training at a base of the National Guard of Ukraine near Kiev May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Grishin

Soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine perform exercises at a military training centre outside Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, May 8, 2014. The pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine decided Thursday to go ahead with Sunday’s referendum on autonomy despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay it.(AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

Soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine perform exercises at a military training outside Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, May 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

Soldiers from the National Guard of Ukraine fire weapons on a training firing field outside Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, May 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

A man levels an automatic rifle during a training at a base of the National Guard of Ukraine near Kiev May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Grishin

A man takes part in a training at a base of the National Guard of Ukraine near Kiev May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Grishin

Lieutenant A.H. Vikebø of the Norwegian FSK with his team on a Kabul rooftop in 2012

Lt. Vikebø will today become the most decorated soldier of the Norwegian Armed Forces in modern times because of his actions in Afghanistan with Forsvarets Spesialkommando during their time of training and mentoring the ANP Crisis Response Unit, including mentoring and commanding them in direct combat with the Taliban in several combat situations.
Source

LT. Vikebø is today (8th of May) being awarded both the "War cross with sward” and“St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch” the highest and the second highest medals for bravery (awarded for different situations).

“ LT Vikebø was on several occasions so far ahead in the counterattacks that he was practically alone over longer periods of time. The medals represent courage, skill and bravery in combat, beyond what can be expected. In the chaotic operations he was an example for his colleagues and took great personal risk that helped save lives.” http://Source

LtCol. Brændeland. Is also awarded the “War cross with sword” for his actions in Bosnia in 1994

THE soldier now known as Towton 25 had survived battle before. A healed skull fracture points to previous engagements. He was old enough—somewhere between 36 and 45 when he died—to have gained plenty of experience of fighting. But on March 29th 1461, his luck ran out.

Towton 25 suffered eight wounds to his head that day. The precise order can be worked out from the direction of fractures on his skull: when bone breaks, the cracks veer towards existing areas of weakness. The first five blows were delivered by a bladed weapon to the left-hand side of his head, presumably by a right-handed opponent standing in front of him. None is likely to have been lethal.

The next one almost certainly was. From behind him someone swung a blade towards his skull, carving a down-to-up trajectory through the air. The blow opened a huge horizontal gash into the back of his head—picture a slit you could post an envelope through. Fractures raced down to the base of his skull and around the sides of his head. Fragments of bone were forced in to Towton 25's brain, felling him.

His enemies were not done yet. Another small blow to the right and back of the head may have been enough to turn him over onto his back. Finally another blade arced towards him. This one bisected his face, opening a crevice that ran from his left eye to his right jaw (see picture). It cut deep: the edge of the blade reached to the back of his throat.

After the Dust Settles
Cpl. Daniel Hopping, assaultman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Rogers, Arkansas, shields himself from dust being kicked up from a CH-53E Super Sea Stallion lifting off during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 28, 2014. The company's mission was to disrupt Taliban forces in Larr Village and establish a presence in the area. Five days prior to the helicopter-borne mission, the company confiscated two rocket-propelled grenades in the vicinity of the village.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan/Released)

Dirt Devils
Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, run to security positions after offloading from a CH-53E Super Sea Stallion helicopter during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 28, 2014. The company's mission was to disrupt Taliban forces in Larr Village and establish a presence in the area. Five days prior to the helicopter-borne mission, the company confiscated two rocket-propelled grenades in the vicinity of the village. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan/Released)

Sangaris : Attaque par un groupe lourdement armé au Nord-Ouest du pays
Le 5 mai 2014, dans l’après-midi, en République Centrafricaine, à environ 450 km au Nord-Ouest de Bangui, la force Sangaris a été attaquée par un groupe lourdement armé, d’un volume d’une quarantaine d’individus qui étaient engagés dans un raid entre Bémal, au Nord du Pays, et de Boguila. Une partie du groupe armé qui composait cette colonne adverse a été détruite, d’autres attaquants se sont repliés. Il n’y a pas de blessé parmi les soldats français.
ECPAD

Pro-Russian gunmen carry the coffin of a person killed during last week's operation, during a commemorative service in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. The U.S. and European nations have increased diplomatic efforts ahead of Ukraine's May 25 presidential election, as a pro-Russian insurgency continues to rock the country's eastern regions. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A pro-Russian gunman stands behind the barricades and holds his weapon while guarding the local administration building in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, May 8, 2014. A strong majority of Ukrainians want their country to remain a single, unified state and this is true even in the largely Russian-speaking east where a pro-Russia insurgency has been fighting for autonomy, a poll released Thursday shows. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A pro-Russian armed man stands at a check point in Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

A gunman aims his weapon in the hatch of the car as he patrols the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, May 8, 2014. The pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine decided Thursday to go ahead with Sunday's referendum on autonomy despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay it. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

A pro-Russian armed man rides in a car in Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Pro-Russian gunmen atop an armored personal carrier patrol through the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, May 8, 2014. The photocopy machines churning out the ballots for eastern Ukraine's sovereignty referendum have been clattering around the clock for days. Even the powerful Vladimir Putin can't stop them. Despite the Kremlin leader's plea to postpone Sunday’s vote, the pro-Russia rebels in Ukraine who call themselves the Donetsk People's Republic said they'll go ahead with the referendum. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Pro-Russian gunmen atop armored personal carrier wave during a Victory Day celebration, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Friday, May 9, 2014. Putin's surprise call on Wednesday for delaying the referendum in eastern Ukraine appeared to reflect Russia's desire to distance itself from the separatists as it bargains with the West over a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. But insurgents in the Russian-speaking east defied Putin's call and said they would go ahead with the referendum. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Pro-Russian gunmen atop an armored personal carrier shout slogans during a Victory Day celebration, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Friday, May 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Pro-Russian gunmen atop armored personal carriers pass through the city during a Victory Day celebration, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Friday, May 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A pro-Russian gunman stands guard in front of a World War II veteran, during a Victory Day celebration, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Friday, May 9, 2014. Putin's surprise call on Wednesday for delaying the referendum in eastern Ukraine appeared to reflect Russia's desire to distance itself from the separatists as it bargains with the West over a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. But insurgents in the Russian-speaking east defied Putin's call and said they would go ahead with the referendum. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A child holds flags, which read "Lugansk Republic", as he marks Victory Day with former Soviet servicemen during celebrations in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk May 9, 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Soviet role in defeating fascism on Friday, the anniversary of the World War Two victory over Nazi Germany, and said those who defeated fascism must never be betrayed. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

A former Soviet serviceman holds flowers during celebrations to mark Victory day in the Crimean port of Sevastopol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

A former Soviet serviceman takes part in celebrations to mark Victory day in the Crimean port of Sevastopol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

A former Soviet serviceman marches with a Soviet navy flag to mark Victory Day in the Crimean port of Sevastopol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer

A man holding a child dressed in Soviet army uniform speaks with an armed pro-Russian separatist during events to mark Victory Day in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

A former Soviet serviceman attends celebrations to mark Victory Day in Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine May 9, 2014. The holiday honouring the World War Two victory over Nazi Germany is marked on May 9. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Vyacheslav Ponomaryov (C), self-declared separatist mayor of Slaviansk, and armed pro-Russia men fire a salute during celebrations to mark Victory Day in Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

An armed pro-Russia man stands with a flower in his weapon's barrel during celebrations to mark Victory Day in Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

A man greets armed pro-Russia men riding armoured personnel carriers during celebrations to mark Victory Day in Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine, May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

An enthusiast dressed in Soviet army uniform (R) speaks with armed pro-Russian separatists during events to mark Victory day in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

A former Soviet serviceman stands near armed pro-Russia men during celebrations to mark Victory Day in Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Was für eine Badge oder Divisionsabzeichen tragen die drei Herren da?

http://www.ecpad.fr/sangaris-attaque-par-u...d-ouest-du-pays
OP Sangaris, Zentralafrikanische Republik, 5. Mai: Schwere Gefechte zwischen französischen Truppen und Ex-Séléka-Milizen im Nordwesten des Landes. Bei den dreistündigen Gefechten kamen auch schwere Waffen in Form von Mörsern und Panzerabwehrlenkwaffen zum Einsatz, französische Verluste gab es keine, die genaue Höhe der gegnerischen Verluste konnte nicht exakt angegeben werden, man spricht von mehreren getöteten Bewaffneten sowie von einigen zerstörten Fahrzeugen (wahrscheinlich Technicals). Laut Jean-Marc Tanguy, vom http://lemamouth.blogspot.fr, kam auch eine Mirage 2000D zum Einsatz, welche eine GBU-12 abwarf.

Muss auch immer mal eine Überraschung für diese Milizen sein. Absolute Überlegenheit der gegnerischen Kräfte statt nur wehrlose Zivilisten abschlachten.

merci bien.

People pass by a broken armoured vehicle left behind after Ukrainian forces attacked police headquarters in an attempt to drive out pro-Russian militants in Mariupol May 9, 2014. Ukrainian security forces killed about 20 pro-Russian rebels who tried to seize control of police headquarters in the eastern port city of Mariupol on Friday, the Interior Minister said. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A man celebrates as a broken armoured vehicle left behind by Ukrainian forces is taken away by pro-Russian militants in Mariupol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A broken armoured vehicle left behind by Ukrainian forces is taken away by pro-Russian militants in Mariupol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Children run to climb on a broken armoured vehicle of Ukrainian forces as is taken away by pro-Russian militants in Mariupol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

People ride on a towed broken armoured vehicle left behind after Ukrainian forces attacked police headquarters in an attempt to drive out pro-Russian militants in Mariupol May 9, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

The body of a police officer, left, lies outside a police station in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, Friday, May 9, 2014. Fighting between government forces and insurgents in Mariupol has left several people dead. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

People stand on top of burnt-out armoured personal carrier near the city hall in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine May 10, 2014. At least seven people were killed and dozens wounded in clashes in the port city on Friday, two days before a referendum on self-rule that threatens to plunge the country into civil war. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

An armed pro-Russian separatist stands guard outside an administrative building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk May 10, 2014. Ukrainian acting President Oleksander Turchinov told eastern regions gripped by a pro-Russian uprising that they would be courting catastrophe if they voted "yes" in a separatist referendum on Sunday. REUTERS/Valentin Ogirenko

An armed pro-Russian separatist sits next to a box for donations outside an administrative building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Valentin Ogirenko

Armed pro-Russian separatists keep guard outside an administrative building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Valentin Ogirenko

Ukraine: Anti-Kiev militants dig in outside Slavyansk - RuptlyTV - 09.05.2014
http://youtu.be/b_t85_ZR7CA

Recovery in the jungle
California Air National pararescuemen assigned to the 131st Rescue Squadron conduct operationally focused scenario training, Marine Cops Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, April 28, 2014. The objective for the Guardian Angel Team was the recovery of civilian personnel from a downed aircraft. (Air National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Kim E. Ramirez)

Today [29. April], President Shimon Peres visited the elite Sayeret Matkal unit. He honored the unit for performing a series of complex operations over the passing year. These operations were successful and essential to the defense of Israel. Along with the president, the Chief of Staff Lt. General Benjamin (Benny) Gantz, Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon and head of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi honored the unit.
IDF

At the border of North Korea and South Korea. Date unknown.

A pro-Russia armed man casts a ballot during the referendum on the status of Luhansk region in Luhansk, May 11, 2014. East Ukrainian rebels pressed ahead with a referendum on self-rule on Sunday and new fighting flared in a conflict that has raised fears of civil war and pitched relations between Russia and the West into their worst crisis since the Cold War. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Self-styled governor of Luhansk region Valery Bolotov (2nd R) and pro-Russia activists enter a hall during the referendum on the status of Luhansk region in the state regional administration building in Luhansk, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

An armed pro-Russian man sits below flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, at the barricades on a road leading into Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, May 11, 2014. Residents of two restive regions in eastern Ukraine engulfed by a pro-Russian insurgency are casting ballots in contentious and hastily organized independence referenda. Sunday's ballots seek approval for declaring so-called sovereign people's republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where rebels have seized government buildings and clashed with police and Ukrainian troops. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Vacheslav Ponomarev, the self-proclaimed mayor of Slovyansk, speaks to journalists standing next to his car after visiting a polling station in Slovyansk, Ukraine, Sunday, May 11, 2014. Residents of two restive regions in eastern Ukraine engulfed by a pro-Russian insurgency cast votes Sunday in contentious and hastily organized independence referendums, which have been rejected as illegal by the Ukrainian government and the West. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Armed pro-Russia militia men register before voting at a polling station during a referendum in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

Armed pro-Russia militia men enter a polling station before voting during a referendum in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

A Pro-Russian armed militant stands guard as a man casts his vote during a referendum organized by the so-called Donetsk People's Republic members, near of their checkpoint in Slaviansk, Ukraine, 11 May 2014. Residents of eastern Ukraine began voting on an independence referendum that was organized by pro-Russian separatists and rejected by the government in Kiev. Russian-speakers and supporters of Moscow have been rallying in the region since March, when a referendum on independence led to Russia's annexation of Crimea. (Ucrania) EFE/EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

Pro-Ukrainian armed men, wearing masks and uniform, gather at a checkpoint outside the southeastern port city of Mariupol May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Ukrainian servicemen gather at a checkpoint outside the southeastern port city of Mariupol May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A Ukrainian serviceman crouches with his weapon at a checkpoint outside the southeastern port city of Mariupol May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A Ukrainian soldier holds his rifle at an army checkpoint during a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. Separatist rebels pressed ahead with a referendum on self-rule in east Ukraine on Sunday and fighting flared anew in a conflict that looked set to dismember the country and pitch Russia and the West into a new Cold War. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A Ukrainian soldier aims his rifle at an army checkpoint during a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A man is detained by Ukrainian security forces for being aggressive at an army checkpoint during a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A woman is led aside as her partner is detained and taken away by Ukrainian security forces for being aggressive at an army checkpoint during a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A woman cries after her partner was detained and taken away by Ukrainian security forces for being aggressive at an army checkpoint during a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Ukrainian state security officers look at allegedly falsified ballot papers at an army checkpoint during a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. Soldiers burned the ballots and refused to hand the men over to police, highlighting the breakdown in trust in the east during an armed uprising that threatens the country with civil war. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Ukrainian state security officers interrogate two men detained at an army checkpoint for allegedly carrying falsified ballot papers in a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Two men are detained by Ukrainian soldiers at an army checkpoint for allegedly carrying falsified ballot papers in a referendum on self-rule in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Ukrainian soldiers burn ballot papers in a referendum on self-rule that they say were falsified and seized from a car at a checkpoint in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

U.S. Special Forces soldiers practice clearing rooms in a shoot house near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 9, 2014.
USSF maintain battle operation skills to keep proficiency while conducting operations with Afghan forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez/released)

U.S. Special Forces soldiers practice clearing rooms in a shoot house near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 9, 2014.
USSF maintain battle operation skills to keep proficiency while conducting operations with Afghan forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez/released)

U.S. Special Forces soldiers practice clearing rooms in a shoot house near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 9, 2014.
USSF maintain battle operation skills to keep proficiency while conducting operations with Afghan forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez/released)

IDF combat soldiers experience a military exercise in the Eliakim's command training base as part of their officer's training course.