Police boost security after Ukraine border shooting

Slovak police have boosted security measures following the deadly shooting involving the radical nationalist group the Right Sector in the Ukrainian town of Mukachevo near the Slovak border on Saturday, Slovak Police Corps vice-president Ľubomír Ábel announced on Monday. As well as boosting patrols on the border, police have also added to the officers' arsenal, said Abel. A conflict between members of the Right Sector and followers of parliamentarian Mikhail Lano, who opposes the group, erupted at a sports club in Mukachevo on Saturday. After the Ukrainian security forces became involved, a fierce shootout ensued that included the use of automatic rifles and grenade launchers. Two members of the Right Sector and one civilian were killed in the shootout. According to Abel, the Ukrainian authorities reported that the suspects are still on the run. The police vice-president noted that Mukachevo is some 50 kilometres away from the Slovak border crossings in Čierna nad Tisou and Vyšné Nemecké. "We don't rule out that [the suspects] might be close to the Slovak state border - but I don't want to make the situation appear dramatic", he said, adding that the Slovak police are in steady contact with the Ukrainian authorities. "The cooperation is excellent; we have enough information, and if the situation deteriorates, we're ready to react. We have enough forces and means to ensure the security of the Slovak public", added the Police Corps vice-president.