Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine claimed today that they have seized control of the Donetsk airport after days of intense fighting. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed a retreat.
"All attempts of Ukrainian army to take the airport and to get revenge for the defeat of the last year... Have failed," rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said at a press conference today in Donetsk.
He accused Ukraine of using rocket and artillery fire with an intensity that rebel forces had "never experienced it before."
Ukrainian officials did not confirm the retreat. Yuriy Biryukov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, wrote on his official Facebook account early Monday that wounded soldiers had been evacuated from the air terminal overnight, but did not say how many troops had remained.
"We will not abandon our own, nobody has forgotten them," he wrote. "Everything will be (ours), but just not right away. We are learning."
The UN estimates that more than 4,700 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since April.
"All attempts of Ukrainian army to take the airport and to get revenge for the defeat of the last year... Have failed," rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said at a press conference today in Donetsk.
He accused Ukraine of using rocket and artillery fire with an intensity that rebel forces had "never experienced it before."
Also Read
The separatist stronghold was shaken by heavy outgoing and incoming artillery fire over the weekend as a battle raged for the air terminal and surrounding areas. Sporadic explosions could still be heard from the direction of the airport early today.
Ukrainian officials did not confirm the retreat. Yuriy Biryukov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, wrote on his official Facebook account early Monday that wounded soldiers had been evacuated from the air terminal overnight, but did not say how many troops had remained.
"We will not abandon our own, nobody has forgotten them," he wrote. "Everything will be (ours), but just not right away. We are learning."
The UN estimates that more than 4,700 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since April.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%