Ukrainian forces 'firmly holding' positions, says Poroshenko
- 9 years ago
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says his troops are holding the line against separatists and Russian forces, amid a surge in violence.
His words come despite Donetsk airport being reduced to a burnt out shell and Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the main terminal.
“If we, Ukrainian units, had held Donetsk airport, pro-Russian fighters would have had to agree with our position and demilitarise a significant part of the city, therefore removing the danger from densely populated areas,” said Kostyantyn Mashkovec, a military expert.
Sixteen Ukrainian soldiers are said to have been taken hostage at the airport.
Some were paraded in front of furious residents at the scene of a bus attack in Donetsk.
At least eight people died in the shelling, which Ukraine blamed on separatists.
Russia said the attack was a “crude provocation” by Kiev to undermine peace efforts.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 4,700 people since April, according to United Nations
His words come despite Donetsk airport being reduced to a burnt out shell and Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the main terminal.
“If we, Ukrainian units, had held Donetsk airport, pro-Russian fighters would have had to agree with our position and demilitarise a significant part of the city, therefore removing the danger from densely populated areas,” said Kostyantyn Mashkovec, a military expert.
Sixteen Ukrainian soldiers are said to have been taken hostage at the airport.
Some were paraded in front of furious residents at the scene of a bus attack in Donetsk.
At least eight people died in the shelling, which Ukraine blamed on separatists.
Russia said the attack was a “crude provocation” by Kiev to undermine peace efforts.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 4,700 people since April, according to United Nations