By airline passenger traffic, Donetsk is the third largest airport into the Ukraine. Donetsk has been on top of the controversy after this Russian-Ukrainian region officially separated having a recent referendum. This airport is now under fire.
Eyewitnesses reported to eTN that Ukrainian Army bombs also destroyed a nearby factory and residents in the airport area are fleeing their homes.
The airport was closed for passenger traffic and no tourists or business travelers are in danger. However two adults were killed and a child was injured by fire from government forces on the square in front of the rail terminal in Donetsk on Monday during a current anti-militia operation, the press service of the unilaterally proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” told Interfax.
The East Ukraine Donetsk airport was the main gateway into the Republic of Ukraine for many years. Many international airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Aeroflot and others had nonstop flights to Donetsk, a mostly Russian speaking city in the Ukraine. This airport is now under attack and black smoke is covering this international airport. Donetsk self-defense forces claim on Twitter to have regained control over the international airport in the eastern city after Ukrainian troops launched a military operation there, deploying fighter jets and helicopters.
“The people’s army has the airport in Donetsk back under control. We are rooting out the remaining Kiev’s remaining troops. Airstrikes have stopped for now,” said the tweet from the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk.
However, other reports on Twitter suggest the shooting still goes on.
The second stage of Kiev’s “counter-terror operation” came amid reported negotiations between rebels and the Ukrainian forces at the scene.
“The Ukrainian occupiers are conducting missile and bomb strikes on Donetsk International Airport. They are deploying military aircraft,” self-defense forces said on Twitter amid the intense fighting.
“I have heard at least three blasts. Helicopters are circling over the city and military jets can be heard flying by,” witnesses told local daily Ostrov.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- However two adults were killed and a child was injured by fire from government forces on the square in front of the rail terminal in Donetsk on Monday during a current anti-militia operation, the press service of the unilaterally proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic”.
- Donetsk self-defense forces claim on Twitter to have regained control over the international airport in the eastern city after Ukrainian troops launched a military operation there, deploying fighter jets and helicopters.
- Eyewitnesses reported to eTN that Ukrainian Army bombs also destroyed a nearby factory and residents in the airport area are fleeing their homes.
