Things in east Ukraine have spiraled out of control. Moments ago Itar Tass reported that there has been a shoot out at the separatists-controlled airport in the city of Kramatorsk where according to on the ground witnesses, four Su-27 fighter jets have allegedly opened fire at the local airfield. It is unclear who the unidentified warplanes belong to although Itar Tass notes that one of the jets was allegedly taken down, so there should be confirmation shortly. Eyewitnesses also add that there are victims and an ambulance has been sent to the scene.
Itar-Tass also adds that according to the newspaper “News Kramatorsk” three helicopters were circling over Kramatorsk.
Elsewhere, RIA adds that Ukraine troops have now successfully regained control of the same airport.
Here is a photo of one of the fighters seen circling above Kramatorsk.
Наш Су-27 в небе над Краматорском pic.twitter.com/xN6jxEDT8H
— ЄВРОМАЙДАН (@euromaidan) April 15, 2014
Самолет такой, например pic.twitter.com/MPn0JvwsuS
— ЄВРОМАЙДАН (@euromaidan) April 15, 2014
— ?????????? (@euromaidan) April 15, 2014
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— ?????????? (@euromaidan) April 15, 2014
From Kyiv Post:
Espresso TV’s correspondent on the ground at Kramatorsk airfield in Donetsk Oblast reports that the elite Omega unit of the Interior Ministry has taken control of the airfield.
Citing the Defense Ministry, Interfax is reporting that Ukrainian armored personnel carriers stormed the airfield, which lies between the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Ukrainian troops fired on pro-Russian terrorists who had occupied the airfield.
Russia Today reported that several members of armed terrorists were wounded in the attack and there “may be deaths.”
Quoting “activists” at the airfield, Russia Today reported that “Other members of the militia (Kremlin-backed terrorists) have blocked the entrance to Kramatorsk and are ready to defend the city, the activists added.”
Concurrently, RIA Novosti reported that Ukrainian troops had laid siege on Sloviansk.
Interfax cited eye witnesses who said that a caravan of 500 Ukrainian troops and military hardware has entered Sloviansk.
Russia is keeping mum for now:
- RUSSIAN DEFENSE MIN DECLINES COMMENT ON REPORT ON AIRBORNE UNIT
More on the escalation:
- RUSSIA MILITARY PLANE CRASHES IN RUSSIA’S ASTRAKHAN REGION: IFX
Finally, from Bloomberg citing RIA:
- PROTESTERS IN EAST UKRAINE SAY THEY HAD 4 DEATHS: RIA
At what point does one declare that there is now a civil war going on in Ukraine?
