Brent crude rose for the first time in three days on concern that escalating tensions in Ukraine may disrupt global supplies. WTI also gained after U.S. employers boosted payrolls by the most in two years. Brent advanced 0.8 percent. Ukraine sent armored vehicles and artillery to retake Slovyansk, a stronghold for pro-separatist forces, defying President Vladimir Putin ’s demand to pull back troops with Russia’s army massed across the border. WTI reduced weekly losses as the unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent in April, the least since September 2008. “Ukraine is engaging in a big military way and Brent is having greater value due to geopolitical influences of Ukraine,” Tom Finlon, Jupiter, Florida-based director of Energy Analytics Group LLC, said by phone. “The unemployment number is construed positively for increases in petroleum demand.” Brent for June settlement climbed 83 cents to close at $108.59 a barrel on the London-based […]