Kiev, Ramadan 8, 1435, Jul 5, 2014, SPA -- The Ukrainian army recaptured the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk after the pro-Russian separatists fled following a military offensive, authorities said Saturday, according to dpa. Mayor Vladimir Pavlenko said days of massive shelling and airstrikes by the army led to fighters abandoning the strategically important eastern city of 110,000 residents, the Interfax news agency reported. President Petro Poroshenko ordered the Ukrainian flag be hoisted above Sloviansk's city hall. Youth Minister Dmitry Bulatov said the rebel flag that had earlier flown over the government building would be burned. "Our resistance is not broken," said rebel leader Andrei Purgin, adding that fighters only left the city in order to protect the civilian population. -- SPA 22:14 LOCAL TIME 19:14 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1250802