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Ukraine's Poroshenko vows response to Luhansk plane crash Ukraine's Poroshenko vows response to Luhansk plane downing
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to retaliate after pro-Russia separatists shot down a military plane in the east, killing 49 people.Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to retaliate after pro-Russia separatists shot down a military plane in the east, killing 49 people.
Those involved in such "cynical acts of terrorism" must be punished, said Mr Poroshenko - who summoned security officials for an emergency meeting. Those involved in such "cynical acts of terrorism" must be punished, said Mr Poroshenko, who summoned security officials for an emergency meeting.
The defence ministry said the transport plane came under anti-aircraft fire over the city of Luhansk overnight. The defence ministry said the Ilyushin-76 transport plane came under anti-aircraft fire over the city of Luhansk.
It was about to land there, carrying troops and military equipment.It was about to land there, carrying troops and military equipment.
It is thought to be the biggest loss of life suffered by government forces in a single incident since the Ukrainian government in Kiev began an operation to try to defeat the insurgency in the east.It is thought to be the biggest loss of life suffered by government forces in a single incident since the Ukrainian government in Kiev began an operation to try to defeat the insurgency in the east.
"The terrorists cynically and treacherously fired with a large-calibre machinegun, hitting an Ilyushin-76 of the Ukrainian air force," the defence ministry said. Defence ministry officials are investigating how the separatists brought down the plane, with reports suggesting the use of three "Stinger-like" missiles or a large-calibre machine-gun.
All 49 military personnel on board - nine flight crew and 40 troops - were killed. Everyone on board - nine flight crew and 40 troops - was killed.
In a statement released later on Saturday, Mr Poroshenko said: "Ukraine needs peace. However, the terrorists will receive an adequate response."In a statement released later on Saturday, Mr Poroshenko said: "Ukraine needs peace. However, the terrorists will receive an adequate response."
Military spokesman Vladislav Seleznov said officials were investigating how the separatists brought down the plane, but initial reports indicated that three "Stinger-like" missiles were used. Rebel fighters were seen combing through the charred wreckage of the plane, south-east of Luhansk, on Saturday.
"This is how we work," one of them, who identified himself as Pyotr, told Reuters news agency. "The fascists can bring as many reinforcements as they want but we will do this every time."
The eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence last month. In March Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in the wake of the removal of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych.
Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, KievAnalysis: David Stern, BBC News, Kiev
The question now is how the government will respond. After the shock of the large number of deaths - the biggest single loss suffered by the military so far - pressure will mount for newly-elected President Poroshenko to end the conflict. The question now is how the government will respond. After the shock of the large number of deaths, pressure will mount for newly elected President Poroshenko to end the conflict.
But will it mean an added impetus to reach a ceasefire, or a further escalation of the fighting? And what of the arms used to bring down the large transport plane - were they Russian-supplied, as Ukrainian officials have insisted?But will it mean an added impetus to reach a ceasefire, or a further escalation of the fighting? And what of the arms used to bring down the large transport plane - were they Russian-supplied, as Ukrainian officials have insisted?
The chances for peace in Ukraine's east still exist. But with every major incident like this one, they seem to recede even further into the distance.The chances for peace in Ukraine's east still exist. But with every major incident like this one, they seem to recede even further into the distance.
The incident came less than a week after pro-Russia rebels launched a series of attacks on Ukrainian forces at Luhansk International Airport.The incident came less than a week after pro-Russia rebels launched a series of attacks on Ukrainian forces at Luhansk International Airport.
The airport has been under the control of government forces but the rebels hold most of the rest of the city.The airport has been under the control of government forces but the rebels hold most of the rest of the city.
Russian tanksRussian tanks
Luhansk is the main city of one of two eastern regions where pro-Russia separatists have declared independence from Kiev.Luhansk is the main city of one of two eastern regions where pro-Russia separatists have declared independence from Kiev.
The "anti-terrorist operation" by Ukrainian government forces has left at least 270 people dead over the past two months.The "anti-terrorist operation" by Ukrainian government forces has left at least 270 people dead over the past two months.
Mr Poroshenko had said that fighting must end "this week" following his inauguration last Sunday.Mr Poroshenko had said that fighting must end "this week" following his inauguration last Sunday.
Meanwhile Nato has released satellite pictures which it says "raise significant questions'' about Russia's role in eastern Ukraine.Meanwhile Nato has released satellite pictures which it says "raise significant questions'' about Russia's role in eastern Ukraine.
The alliance said the images showed Russian tanks recently arrived at a staging area near the border. Ukrainian officials have said the tanks later rolled into Ukraine.The alliance said the images showed Russian tanks recently arrived at a staging area near the border. Ukrainian officials have said the tanks later rolled into Ukraine.
The separatists have argued that tanks spotted in the region belong to the government. But Nato said they bore no army markings, "which is reminiscent of tactics used by Russian elements that were involved in destabilising Crimea".The separatists have argued that tanks spotted in the region belong to the government. But Nato said they bore no army markings, "which is reminiscent of tactics used by Russian elements that were involved in destabilising Crimea".
The US on Friday said it was confident that tanks being used by separatists in eastern Ukraine came from Russia.The US on Friday said it was confident that tanks being used by separatists in eastern Ukraine came from Russia.
"No Ukrainian tank units have been operating in that area," a US state department spokeswoman said."No Ukrainian tank units have been operating in that area," a US state department spokeswoman said.
Russia has denied allegations that it is giving military support to the rebels.Russia has denied allegations that it is giving military support to the rebels.
Are you in Luhansk? Did you witness this event? Send your experiences and observations to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject Ukraine plane.Are you in Luhansk? Did you witness this event? Send your experiences and observations to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject Ukraine plane.
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