Donetsk violence shatters Ukraine ceasefire efforts
- 9 years ago
Fighting in the Donetsk region, with drastic consequences, has shattered the latest hopes of securing a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.
In a symbolic blow to government forces, the army has lost control of Donetsk airport to the rebels.
The military said its forces had withdrawn from the main terminal.
Pictures from Russian television showed pro-Russian rebels from the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” handling ammunition and weapons left behind by government troops.
Only three years ago the shiny new complex was the pride of Ukraine – built for the 2012 Euro football tournament for an estimated 800 million euros.
But since last spring rockets and shells have replaced airliners, the runway and terminal buildings reduced to rubble in the relentless battles between army and separatists.
The city itself has been traumatised by the reported deaths of more than a dozen civilians, hit by shelling at a bus stop.
Images showed the wreckage of a bus hit by a shell or a mor
In a symbolic blow to government forces, the army has lost control of Donetsk airport to the rebels.
The military said its forces had withdrawn from the main terminal.
Pictures from Russian television showed pro-Russian rebels from the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” handling ammunition and weapons left behind by government troops.
Only three years ago the shiny new complex was the pride of Ukraine – built for the 2012 Euro football tournament for an estimated 800 million euros.
But since last spring rockets and shells have replaced airliners, the runway and terminal buildings reduced to rubble in the relentless battles between army and separatists.
The city itself has been traumatised by the reported deaths of more than a dozen civilians, hit by shelling at a bus stop.
Images showed the wreckage of a bus hit by a shell or a mor