Ukraine: Rebels' attempt to seize Donetsk airport repelled

Kiev, Nov 14 (EFE) Ukrainian troops have repelled a new attempt by pro-Russian separatists to seize control of the international airport in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, a military source said Friday.

According to the source, the separatists launched an assault on the airport late Thursday but the Ukrainian forces fought back and the strategic site is still under government troops' control.

The pro-Russian militias also attacked positions of the government forces in the village of Pesky with mortar fire.

Over the previous 24 hours, the Ukrainian military counted 50 violations of the ceasefire agreement reached last Sep 5, leaving seven members of the Ukrainian forces wounded.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the breakaway self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said Friday that two women died in Ukrainian artillery fire.

The pro-Russian separatists called Thursday for an urgent resumption of talks with Ukraine amid the worsening conflict and the risk of a full-fledged war in eastern Ukraine.

--IANS/EFE

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