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Ukraine crisis: Army retreats at Donetsk airport | Ukraine crisis: Army retreats at Donetsk airport |
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Ukraine's defence ministry says its troops have withdrawn from the main terminal of Donetsk airport, the scene of bitter fighting in recent weeks. | Ukraine's defence ministry says its troops have withdrawn from the main terminal of Donetsk airport, the scene of bitter fighting in recent weeks. |
It said the military retained control of parts of the airport, but that six soldiers had died and 16 were wounded. | It said the military retained control of parts of the airport, but that six soldiers had died and 16 were wounded. |
In Donetsk itself, at least nine people were killed when a civilian bus was hit by shelling. | In Donetsk itself, at least nine people were killed when a civilian bus was hit by shelling. |
Fighting between the army and Russian-backed separatists has intensified in and around rebel-held Donetsk. | Fighting between the army and Russian-backed separatists has intensified in and around rebel-held Donetsk. |
The deaths come after Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany issued a joint call to end fighting in the east. | The deaths come after Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany issued a joint call to end fighting in the east. |
They also agreed on a line of demarcation between separatists and government forces from which both sides are meant to withdraw their forces, but so far this has not been carried out. | They also agreed on a line of demarcation between separatists and government forces from which both sides are meant to withdraw their forces, but so far this has not been carried out. |
The airport just outside Donetsk, which is no longer in use, has taken on symbolic value for both separatists and the government. | The airport just outside Donetsk, which is no longer in use, has taken on symbolic value for both separatists and the government. |
Ukraine's defence ministry said 20 Ukrainian soldiers had withdrawn from the main terminal because their positions were destroyed and they were under direct shelling. | Ukraine's defence ministry said 20 Ukrainian soldiers had withdrawn from the main terminal because their positions were destroyed and they were under direct shelling. |
The loss of the main terminal is a major blow to pro-Kiev forces and will send political shockwaves back to the capital, the BBC's David Stern reports from Kiev. | The loss of the main terminal is a major blow to pro-Kiev forces and will send political shockwaves back to the capital, the BBC's David Stern reports from Kiev. |
The defence ministry blamed separatists for the shelling of the bus, saying their own forces were 15km (9 miles) away. | |
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukrainian forces were to blame for what he called a "monstrous new crime" and a "coarse provocation". | |
Some reports, citing local officials, said that as many as 13 people had died. | Some reports, citing local officials, said that as many as 13 people had died. |
Last week, 13 people were killed when a bus was struck by artillery fire in Buhas, south-west of Donetsk. | Last week, 13 people were killed when a bus was struck by artillery fire in Buhas, south-west of Donetsk. |
More than 4,800 people have been killed and some 1.2 million displaced since pro-Russian rebels seized parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions in April. | More than 4,800 people have been killed and some 1.2 million displaced since pro-Russian rebels seized parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions in April. |
The rebel movements followed Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in March - weeks after Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted. | The rebel movements followed Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in March - weeks after Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted. |
There have been reports of fighting in recent days near the town of Slovyanoserbsk, north-west of Luhansk - an indication that violence is spreading beyond the Donetsk region. | There have been reports of fighting in recent days near the town of Slovyanoserbsk, north-west of Luhansk - an indication that violence is spreading beyond the Donetsk region. |
Ukraine says Russia has more than 9,000 soldiers fighting alongside the rebels, a claim that Moscow denies. | Ukraine says Russia has more than 9,000 soldiers fighting alongside the rebels, a claim that Moscow denies. |
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday there had been a recent build up in the numbers of Russian tanks and other heavy military equipment in eastern Ukraine. | Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday there had been a recent build up in the numbers of Russian tanks and other heavy military equipment in eastern Ukraine. |
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich repeated Russian denials of intervention in Ukraine. | Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich repeated Russian denials of intervention in Ukraine. |
"We know that there are some Russians that fight on the side of those regions in Ukraine - some people that are coming on their own and fight," he told the BBC. | "We know that there are some Russians that fight on the side of those regions in Ukraine - some people that are coming on their own and fight," he told the BBC. |
"We're trying to make sure that those people [in eastern Ukraine] are protected and to preserve their rights," he said. "We need a peaceful Ukraine." | "We're trying to make sure that those people [in eastern Ukraine] are protected and to preserve their rights," he said. "We need a peaceful Ukraine." |
Have you been affected by the recent events in Donetsk? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. | Have you been affected by the recent events in Donetsk? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. |
Please include a telephone number if you can be contacted by a BBC journalist. | Please include a telephone number if you can be contacted by a BBC journalist. |
Have your say | Have your say |