(VOVworld) – The Russian President has described military actions used by the Kiev government against protestors in eastern Ukraine as a serious crime against its civilian population and will get back “consequences”.

Ukrainian special forces take position in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk on April 24, 2014. (Photo: AFP)

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that taking this action made the pro-Western Kiev government a “junta”. Regarding Western economic sanctions against Russia related to the Ukrainian crisis, Putin said Russia has the ability to protect its interests within WTO’s framework.

Tension has continued in Slavyansk in eastern Ukraine when 5 people were killed in clashes between the army and protesters.

In a statement released on Thursday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of releasing groundless evidence of Moscow backing anti-government forces in Kiev and demanded the US revoke such slander.