A day after elections, Ukraine has launched air strikes against armed separatist fighters who had seized portions of Donetsk’s Sergei Prokofiev International Airport.
Eastern Ukraine rebels shut down intl airport in Donetsk, declare 'martial law'http://t.co/nj18idyM6f
— Maksym Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 26, 2014
Today's photorep: Government troops attempted to regain control over #Donetsk airport http://t.co/gx8oeLT9SB pic.twitter.com/PEzuiZOTgy
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) May 26, 2014
Gunfire heard in #Donetsk airport NOW
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) May 26, 2014
Black smoke in the air. Jet fighter somewhere in the sky. Heavy armed militia dudes just passed towards the gunfire. Explosion. War #Donetsk
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) May 26, 2014
Apparently Ukrainian army issued an ultimatum to separatist forces to surrender in #Donetsk
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) May 26, 2014
Right now at #Donetsk airport, string of gunshots fired and ricocheted near us on Stratonativ Street. Everyone scatters, takes cover.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 26, 2014
Not sure of source, but photo apparently shows separatist rebels atop #Donetsk airport terminal. pic.twitter.com/sisKMm9Rc5
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 26, 2014
Recommended
They just fired an RPG next to me. Army is gradually pushing separatists out of airport. How would I get out of here without being pushed?
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) May 26, 2014
Army helicopter just passed over us, fired towards airport and left. Black smoke is rising over the train station building #Donetsk
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@shelomovskiy) May 26, 2014
A Ukrainian gunship fires decoy flares over a residential area moments after attacking rebels at Donetsk airport pic.twitter.com/SFJ6O0ujm5
— Yannis Behrakis (@yannisBehrakis) May 26, 2014
A Ukrainian Mi-24 gunship fires its cannons against rebels at the main terminal building of Donetsk airport. pic.twitter.com/zgNulTB0EC
— Yannis Behrakis (@yannisBehrakis) May 26, 2014
A Ukrainian Mi-24 gunship fires its cannons against rebels at the main terminal building of Donetsk airport pic.twitter.com/We4weW42AJ
— Yannis Behrakis (@yannisBehrakis) May 26, 2014
Thick black smoke rising from #Donetsk airport
Gunfire around rear of airport
— Will Vernon (@BBCWillVernon) May 26, 2014
Fighting sounds as though it's continuing into the night in #Donetsk. Loud explosions echoing, with only a second or two between blasts.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 26, 2014
My report from airport fighting earlier. Rebel spox tells me fighting has now spilled onto main road from airport http://t.co/nUZ8b8FlYB
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 26, 2014
Shocking level of mayhem and violence in eastern #Ukraine sends clear message that separatists are not packing it in. Bodes poorly. #Donetsk
— Andrew S. Weiss (@andrewsweiss) May 26, 2014
A note for travelers:
That's one way of saying there's a huge prolonged gun battle there… pic.twitter.com/T2kqO3owKi
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) May 26, 2014