At least one dead in clashes in eastern Ukraine town

At least one dead in clashes in eastern Ukraine town

DONETSK -- Clashes in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Thursday left one person dead, according to an AFP agency report.

16 were injured in the clashes that erupted during the holding of two rallies in the city.

The Ukrainian agency Unian, however, reports that "three were killed, 50 injured and dozens arrested."

Citing medical services, AFP reported that the victim was a 22-year-old man who was stabbed to death, and that he took part in the rally which gathered supporters of the Kiev authorities.

The clashes erupted when pro-Russian demonstrators, about 2,000 of them, broke through a police cordon that surrounded the other rally, called "in support of Ukraine's integrity," and which gathered some 1,000 people.

Reuters said that "hundreds of people who chanted slogans in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin clashed with a group who condemned Moscow."

Several major protests were held in Donetsk last week that also saw clashes.