Taking OSCE military observers and Ukrainian citizens hostages by separatists as well as the attack on the participants of peaceful pro-unity demonstrators in Donetsk contradict principles of democracy and are acts of terrorism, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said in a statement posted on its Web site on April 29. “The United States is disgusted by last night’s savage attack on the peaceful pro-unity demonstrators in Donetsk, including many women and children. This senseless violence is a reminder of the struggle for dignity that underlies the political debate in Ukraine today,” reads the statement.

“We also condemn the separatists’ taking of hostages, both Ukrainians and international monitors, some of whom have been brutally beaten,” the U.S. Embassy said adding that there is no place for these examples of inhuman behavior in a modern, democratic society.