Ukrainian troops surrounded pro-Russia separatists in their main stronghold of Donetsk on Saturday, prompting the new leader of the militants to appeal for a cease-fire to avert what he said was a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Alexander Zakharchenko, who on Thursday took over as prime minister of the insurgents' self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk, said civilians had been killed during overnight shelling by Ukrainian government troops and that the toll would rise dramatically if the assault was not halted. Read more http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-ukraine-donetsk-fighting-20140809-story.html
