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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine conflict: Air strikes 'hit Luhansk targets' | Ukraine conflict: Air strikes 'hit Luhansk targets' |
| (35 minutes 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. |
| Ukraine's military later said the airport had been "unblocked" and the army had retaken several villages. | Ukraine's military later said the airport had been "unblocked" and the army had retaken several villages. |
| Separately, a Ukrainian military plane was shot down in the region. | |
| The An-26 transport aircraft was hit at an altitude of 6,500m (21,325ft), a statement on Ukraine's presidential website said. | |
| It said the plane had been targeted with "a more powerful missile weapon" than a shoulder-carried missile launcher, and that it had probably been fired from Russia. | |
| The statement added that the plane's crew members had survived and had since contacted the Ukrainian military. | |
| Russia has made no public comments on the Ukrainian claim. | |
| Direct talks plea | 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. |
| Meanwhile, the rebels claimed they had destroyed a Ukrainian armed convoy near the airport. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |