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| Ukraine crisis: 'At least 30 rebels killed' in battle for Donetsk airport | Ukraine crisis: 'At least 30 rebels killed' in battle for Donetsk airport |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 30 rebels have been killed in heavy fighting with the Ukrainian army in Donetsk. | At least 30 rebels have been killed in heavy fighting with the Ukrainian army in Donetsk. |
| Government forces used fighter jets and helicopter gunships against the pro-Russian rebels who had taken over the city’s international airport on Monday. | Government forces used fighter jets and helicopter gunships against the pro-Russian rebels who had taken over the city’s international airport on Monday. |
| The newly-elected President, Petro Poroshenko, had vowed to crush the rebellion in the east of the country “in a matter of hours”. | The newly-elected President, Petro Poroshenko, had vowed to crush the rebellion in the east of the country “in a matter of hours”. |
| One insurgent, who did not give his name, said outside the hospital in Donetsk that 30 bodies of his fellow insurgents were taken there. | One insurgent, who did not give his name, said outside the hospital in Donetsk that 30 bodies of his fellow insurgents were taken there. |
| The lorry carrying the bodies was still parked outside the hospital, waiting for explosives experts to check for any unexploded weapons, he said. | The lorry carrying the bodies was still parked outside the hospital, waiting for explosives experts to check for any unexploded weapons, he said. |
| Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, reiterated calls for an immediate end to violence in Ukraine on Tuesday, according toRussian news agencies. | |
| He said halting bloodshed in Ukraine's southeast was the most important task for the authorities in Kiev and the new President. | |
| Sustained artillery and gunfire was heard from the airport in Donetsk on Monday and dense black smoke could be seen in the air. | Sustained artillery and gunfire was heard from the airport in Donetsk on Monday and dense black smoke could be seen in the air. |
| Many flights were delayed or cancelled and access to the airport was blocked by police. | Many flights were delayed or cancelled and access to the airport was blocked by police. |
| The air strikes against the separatists in control of Donetsk airport appeared to be the most visible Government military operation yet since it started a crackdown on insurgents last month. | The air strikes against the separatists in control of Donetsk airport appeared to be the most visible Government military operation yet since it started a crackdown on insurgents last month. |
| Two civilians, including an elderly woman, were reportedly killed by stray bullets during the fighting at nearby Donetsk railway station. | Two civilians, including an elderly woman, were reportedly killed by stray bullets during the fighting at nearby Donetsk railway station. |
| Pro-Russian separatists reportedly first stormed the airport early on Sunday, ejecting the airport security staff and Ukrainian soldiers guarding the site. | Pro-Russian separatists reportedly first stormed the airport early on Sunday, ejecting the airport security staff and Ukrainian soldiers guarding the site. |
| It was the second time this month that they have occupied the international airport, whose vast new terminal was built for the 2012 European Football Championships. | It was the second time this month that they have occupied the international airport, whose vast new terminal was built for the 2012 European Football Championships. |
| Pro-Russia gunmen taking up positions near Donetsk airport. | Pro-Russia gunmen taking up positions near Donetsk airport. |
| Known as the “chocolate king”, confectionery billionaire Mr Poroshenko won Sunday's presidential vote. | Known as the “chocolate king”, confectionery billionaire Mr Poroshenko won Sunday's presidential vote. |
| He has vowed to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis but dubbed pro-Russian rebels “terrorists” and compared them to Somali pirates. | He has vowed to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis but dubbed pro-Russian rebels “terrorists” and compared them to Somali pirates. |
| Vladimir Putin welcomed the election and continued to deny allegations that his government was supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine. | Vladimir Putin welcomed the election and continued to deny allegations that his government was supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine. |
| Russia has supported the decentralisation of Ukraine’s government to give the regions more autonomy and wants troops to be withdrawn from eastern and southern parts of the country that have seen unrest. | Russia has supported the decentralisation of Ukraine’s government to give the regions more autonomy and wants troops to be withdrawn from eastern and southern parts of the country that have seen unrest. |
| Additional reporting by Associated Press | Additional reporting by Associated Press |