This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28292338

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ukraine conflict: Air strikes 'hit Luhansk targets' Ukraine conflict: Air strikes 'hit Luhansk targets'
(about 3 hours later)
The Ukrainian air force says it has delivered "five powerful air strikes" on targets in the eastern Luhansk region in a bid to end a rebel blockade of a strategic airport there.The Ukrainian air force says it has delivered "five powerful air strikes" on targets in the eastern Luhansk region in a bid to end a rebel blockade of a strategic airport there.
Several targets were hit near the airport in the rebel-held city of Luhansk, a military spokesman said.Several targets were hit near the airport in the rebel-held city of Luhansk, a military spokesman said.
President Petro Poroshenko's Facebook page says Ukrainian forces have now pushed rebels away from the airport. Ukraine's military later said the airport had been "unblocked" and the army had retaken several villages.
But the pro-Russian rebels in Luhansk deny there have been new air strikes. Separately, Ukraine said contact had been lost with a military plane.
Mr Poroshenko said on his Facebook page that Ukrainian forces had managed to break through a rebel cordon surrounding Luhansk airport. The An-26 transport aircraft disappeared at 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT) and the search-and-rescue operation was now under way, officials said.
There were unconfirmed reports that the plane had been shot down by the pro-Russian rebels.
Direct talks plea
Military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyy told Ukrainian television: "The [Ukrainian air force] delivered five powerful air strikes on targets where militants and hardware were concentrated. Air strikes were delivered on targets near the Luhansk airfield; two strikes were made near Izvaryne and one near Lysychansk [both in Luhansk region]."Military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyy told Ukrainian television: "The [Ukrainian air force] delivered five powerful air strikes on targets where militants and hardware were concentrated. Air strikes were delivered on targets near the Luhansk airfield; two strikes were made near Izvaryne and one near Lysychansk [both in Luhansk region]."
A resident in Luhansk has told the BBC that some air strikes hit Luhansk on Monday.A resident in Luhansk has told the BBC that some air strikes hit Luhansk on Monday.
Fighting in the area has intensified since a rebel rocket attack near the Russian border on Friday, in which at least 19 government soldiers were killed. Mr Poroshenko vowed tough retaliation for that attack. Meanwhile, the rebels claimed they had destroyed a Ukrainian armed convoy near the airport.
Fighting in the area has intensified since a rebel rocket attack near the Russian border on Friday, in which at least 19 government soldiers were killed.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has vowed tough retaliation for that attack.
Tensions rose further over the weekend when Russia accused Ukrainian forces of shelling across the border, killing one person and wounding two others.Tensions rose further over the weekend when Russia accused Ukrainian forces of shelling across the border, killing one person and wounding two others.
At least 15 civilians were killed in Luhansk and the neighbouring Donetsk region on Sunday, reports say.At least 15 civilians were killed in Luhansk and the neighbouring Donetsk region on Sunday, reports say.
Germany and Russia have urged direct talks between Kiev and the rebels.Germany and Russia have urged direct talks between Kiev and the rebels.
And the UK and US have renewed calls for Russia to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine.And the UK and US have renewed calls for Russia to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine.
In a telephone conversation, British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama stressed the need for Moscow to take further steps towards peace or face further sanctions.In a telephone conversation, British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama stressed the need for Moscow to take further steps towards peace or face further sanctions.
Pro-Russian separatist rebels have been fighting the government in Kiev since declaring independence in Luhansk and the neighbouring region of Donetsk in April. Separatist rebels have been fighting the government in Kiev since declaring independence in Luhansk and the neighbouring region of Donetsk in April.
The government began an "anti-terrorist operation" in April to crush the rebellion in the eastern regions.The government began an "anti-terrorist operation" in April to crush the rebellion in the eastern regions.
More than 1,000 civilians and combatants are believed to have died in the fighting, which followed Russia's annexation of Crimea in March.More than 1,000 civilians and combatants are believed to have died in the fighting, which followed Russia's annexation of Crimea in March.