A deadline to surrender passes and armed pro-Russia activists remain.
Now, citizens of Slaviansk are standing by, bracing for Kiev's anti-terrorist operation.
They say they're standing by their demands.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SLAVIANSK RESIDENT ANDREI SAYING:
"I want a referendum, I want autonomy, so that our people would work and earn money. Our people know how to work and know how to earn money, but the authorities give our people the finger, do you understand?"
Now the European Union is scrambling to find a peaceful resolution.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF CATHERINE ASHTON SAYING:
"First of all, our growing concern about what Russia is doing, the reports that are coming out of unrest in the eastern part of Ukraine, trying to call for calm, trying to make sure that people can use democratic means to talk about the future of their country as we look to the presidential elections and beyond."
The EU is considering tougher
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