Ukraine Arrests 15 Alleged Coup Plotters

Ukraine's security service said on Saturday it had arrested 15 men for allegedly plotting to stage an armed revolt in an eastern region neighboring Russia.

It added it had also seized 300 machineguns, a rocket launcher and numerous grenades from the suspected coup plotter.

The Ukrainian Security Service said the men planned to seize the administration building in the Lugansk region on Thursday, "frighten the local population, and use arms and explosives".

The security agency provided no other details and did not reveal any political affiliation of the suspects.

The heavily Russified eastern regions of Ukraine have been hit by protests since last month's overthrow in Kiev of a pro-Kremlin regime by leaders who are seeking a closer alliance with the West.

Some eastern regions have also sought to stage their own independence referendums similar to the one that resulted in Crimea recently being annexed by Russia.