Ukraine launches operation on separatists in Mariupol

Ukrainian security forces have launched an operation against pro-Russian separatists in the rebel-held southeastern port city Mariupol on Friday. The operation started early Friday morning and is continuing as planned Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on his Facebook account. 

Ukrainian special forces, known as Azov, were reported to have attacked and seized control of a bank which had been occupied by armed separatist "Donetsk Republic" supporters. Avakov said two Ukrainians soldiers were wounded during the operations but separatists had lost ground.

Officials asked Mariupol residents not to come out as clashes between the army and the separatists continue. 

Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to three after a bomb attack on a vehicle belonging to Denis Pushilin, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said the Donetsk regional governorate on Friday. The attack occurred in front of a government building controlled by pro-Russian separatists Thursday, wounding a total of seven people at the scene. 

Tensions remain high in eastern Ukraine where pro-Moscow separatists and government forces continue to clash after Ukraine's newly-elected President Petro Poroshenko vowed "to ensure peace and stability" by retaining control in the eastern regions.