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| Ukraine military plane shot down as fighting rages | Ukraine military plane shot down as fighting rages |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Ukrainian military transport aircraft has been shot down in the east, amid fighting with pro-Russian separatist rebels, Ukrainian officials say. | |
| They say the An-26 plane was hit at an altitude of 6,500m (21,325ft). | They say the An-26 plane was hit at an altitude of 6,500m (21,325ft). |
| The plane was targeted with "a more powerful missile" than a shoulder-carried missile, "probably fired" from Russia. The crew survived. | The plane was targeted with "a more powerful missile" than a shoulder-carried missile, "probably fired" from Russia. The crew survived. |
| Russia has made no comment. Separately, Nato reported a Russian troop build-up near the Ukraine border. | Russia has made no comment. Separately, Nato reported a Russian troop build-up near the Ukraine border. |
| A Nato official confirmed to the BBC that the military alliance had observed a significant increase of Russian troops bringing their number to an estimated 10-12,000. | A Nato official confirmed to the BBC that the military alliance had observed a significant increase of Russian troops bringing their number to an estimated 10-12,000. |
| Russia denies supporting and arming the separatists, and has invited officials from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to monitor its border with Ukraine. | |
| Direct talks plea | Direct talks plea |
| A statement on Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko's website said the An-26 was taking part in an "anti-terror operation" in the region. | A statement on Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko's website said the An-26 was taking part in an "anti-terror operation" in the region. |
| The statement quoted Ukrainian Defence Minister Valeriy Heletei as saying that a search-and-rescue operation was now under way. | The statement quoted Ukrainian Defence Minister Valeriy Heletei as saying that a search-and-rescue operation was now under way. |
| Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for Ukraine's security and defence council, was later quoted by Ukrainian media as saying that eight people were on board the plane. | |
| Rebel forces earlier said they had targeted the aircraft in the Luhansk region. | |
| This comes as the Ukrainian air force said it had delivered "five powerful air strikes" on targets in the region in a bid to end a rebel blockade of a strategic airport there. | This comes as the Ukrainian air force said it had delivered "five powerful air strikes" on targets in the 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. |
| 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. | |
| 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. |