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Ukraine military plane shot down as fighting rages Ukraine military plane shot down as fighting rages
(35 minutes later)
A Ukrainian military transport aircraft has been shot down in the east, amid fighting with separatist rebels, Ukrainian officials say.A Ukrainian military transport aircraft has been shot down in the east, amid fighting with separatist rebels, Ukrainian officials say.
The An-26 plane was hit at an altitude of 6,500m (21,325ft), a statement on the presidential website said. They say the An-26 plane was hit at an altitude of 6,500m (21,325ft).
It said the plane had been targeted with "a more powerful missile weapon" than a shoulder-carried missile, probably fired from Russia. The plane was targeted with "a more powerful missile" than a shoulder-carried missile, "probably fired" from Russia. The crew survived.
Russia has not commented on the claim. The crew survived. Russia has made no comment. Separately, Nato reported a Russian troop build-up near the Ukraine border.
It was not immediately known if there were any other people on board the aircraft. Rebel forces earlier said they had targeted the aircraft. A Nato official confirmed to the BBC that the military alliance had observed a significant increase of Russian troops bringing their number to an estimated 10-12,000.
The crew members of the downed plane had already contacted the Ukrainian military, and a search-and-rescue operation was now under way, the statement said.
Direct talks pleaDirect talks plea
This comes as the Ukrainian air force said it had delivered "five powerful air strikes" on targets in the eastern Luhansk region in a bid to end a rebel blockade of a strategic airport there. A statement on Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko's website said the An-26 was taking part in an "anti-terror operation" in the region.
The statement quoted Ukrainian Defence Minister Valeriy Heletei as saying that a search-and-rescue operation was now under way.
It was not immediately known if there were any other people on board the aircraft. Rebel forces earlier said they had targeted the aircraft in the Luhansk region.
This comes as the Ukrainian air force said it had delivered "five powerful air strikes" on targets in the region in a bid to end a rebel blockade of a strategic airport there.
Several targets were hit near the airport in the rebel-held city of Luhansk, a military spokesman said.Several targets were hit near the airport in the rebel-held city of Luhansk, a military spokesman said.
Ukraine's military later said the airport had been "unblocked" and the army had retaken several villages.Ukraine's military later said the airport had been "unblocked" and the army had retaken several villages.
A resident in Luhansk has told the BBC that some air strikes hit Luhansk on Monday.A resident in Luhansk has told the BBC that some air strikes hit Luhansk on Monday.
Meanwhile, the rebels claimed they had destroyed a Ukrainian armed convoy near the airport.Meanwhile, the rebels claimed they had destroyed a Ukrainian armed convoy near the airport.
Fighting in the area has intensified since a rebel rocket attack near the Russian border on Friday, in which at least 19 government soldiers were killed.Fighting in the area has intensified since a rebel rocket attack near the Russian border on Friday, in which at least 19 government soldiers were killed.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has vowed tough retaliation for that attack.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has vowed tough retaliation for that attack.
Tensions rose further over the weekend when Russia accused Ukrainian forces of shelling across the border, killing one person and wounding two others.Tensions rose further over the weekend when Russia accused Ukrainian forces of shelling across the border, killing one person and wounding two others.
At least 15 civilians were killed in Luhansk and the neighbouring Donetsk region on Sunday, reports say.At least 15 civilians were killed in Luhansk and the neighbouring Donetsk region on Sunday, reports say.
Germany and Russia have urged direct talks between Kiev and the rebels.Germany and Russia have urged direct talks between Kiev and the rebels.
And the UK and US have renewed calls for Russia to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine where it is accused of backing the rebels.And the UK and US have renewed calls for Russia to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine where it is accused of backing the rebels.
In a telephone conversation, Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama stressed the need for Moscow to take further steps towards peace or face further sanctions.In a telephone conversation, Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama stressed the need for Moscow to take further steps towards peace or face further sanctions.
Separatist rebels have been fighting the government in Kiev since declaring independence in Luhansk and the neighbouring region of Donetsk in April.Separatist rebels have been fighting the government in Kiev since declaring independence in Luhansk and the neighbouring region of Donetsk in April.
The government began an "anti-terrorist operation" in April to crush the rebellion in the eastern regions.The government began an "anti-terrorist operation" in April to crush the rebellion in the eastern regions.
More than 1,000 civilians and combatants are believed to have died in the fighting, which followed Russia's annexation of Crimea in March.More than 1,000 civilians and combatants are believed to have died in the fighting, which followed Russia's annexation of Crimea in March.