CRI听力:Insurgents Acknowledge Slovyansk Setback, Vow to Make a Stand

Rebels driven out of a key stronghold in eastern Ukraine over the weekend have regrouped in the industrial city of Donetsk.

Despite being driven out of the encampments by Ukranian government forces, the rebels are vowing to renew their fight against the government.

"Winning the battle is not the same as winning the war. That's my opinion. With their huge amount of heavy weapons and vehicles they are now winning in the small towns. They had been trying to get Slovyansk for three months. Let them try to come to Donetsk. Then we'll see. War is just starting."

Ukrainian troops this weekend forced the rebels out of Slovyansk, a city that has been at the centre of the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Andrei Purgin, a leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, suggests the Ukranian government offensive was particularly brutal.

"In this situation exact losses are impossible to estimate. We understand that more than a thousand died. This is one hundred percent certain."

The Ukrainian government re-launched its offensive against the rebels last week after attempts by the international community failed to convince Kiev to extend a ceasefire it had been adhering to the week before.