Ukraine pilot killed in anti-rebel operation

Ukraine's government forces have begun an "anti-terror" operation in the eastern city of Sloviansk, Kiev says.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said one Ukrainian pilot had been killed, and other people wounded and that nine rebel checkpoints had been seized.

Pro-Russian gunmen said they had shot down at least two helicopters, reportedly capturing one pilot.

Russia's state-run Rossiya 24 TV channel said the city was being "stormed".

It quoted Sloviansk's rebel leader Igor Strelkov as saying that the city was completely sealed off.

Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Olexandr Turchynov reinstated military conscription.

He said his forces were helpless to quell the unrest in some parts of the east, saying the goal was now to prevent it from spreading.

He also remarked that Ukraine was on full combat alert amid fears that Russian troops could invade.

Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed near the Ukrainian border.