When Ukrainian tanks entered downtown Kramatorsk as part of Kiev’s military operation against anti-government protesters in the east of the country, they were stopped in their tracks, surrounded by crowds of local residents. One YouTube video of what happened next shows a woman coming to a soldier with the reproach: “You are the army, you must protect the people.” “We are not going to shoot, we weren’t even going to,” is the soldier’s reply. Similar conversations could be heard at each of several tanks which entered the city, with locals promising to defend their neighbors, in case the soldiers start a military operation. Tanks parked in downtown Kramatorsk have turned into hotspots for political discussion, with people beside the vehicles trying to get their views through to people on top of the tanks. Another video features the Kramatorsk crowds loudly chanting “Army with the people” and applauding the soldiers as they were leaving their tanks. “Guys, we are with you! You are great!” women are heard yelling to the vacating soldiers. Six Ukrainian tanks in Kramatorsk actually switched sides and began flying Russian flags on Wednesday. BREAKING: Reports 6 tanks/APCs switch sides in #Kramatorsk driving to #Slaviansk (via @ranyah) http://t.co/YtaPqbJrkM pic.twitter.com/r7GMMpDgLh — RT (@RT_com) April 16, 2014 Tuesday, when the military operation against anti-government protesters in the east was launched, was not as peaceful. According to activists, four people were killed and two others injured when troops seized an airfield in Kramatorsk, which had earlier been controlled by protesters.
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Kramatorsk locals stop Ukrainian tanks, persuade soldiers to leave (VIDEO)