Ukraine Launches Air Strikes Against Rebel-held Donetsk Airport

Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko vowed to negotiate an end to the ongoing pro-Russian insurgency in the eastern region. He also said he was willing to begin talks with Moscow. However, he described the separatists as ‘Somali pirates’ and authorities in Kiev launched air strikes against the pro-Russian militants occupying Donetsk airport.

Russia welcomed Poroshenko's offer for talks, raising hopes that his election might ease the crisis. In Kiev, international observers hailed Ukraine's presidential election as ‘genuine’ and said it was held freely and fairly.

The air strikes against the separatists in control of Donetsk airport appeared to be the most visible military operation since Ukraine started a crackdown on insurgents. Many flights to and from Donetsk were delayed or cancelled and access to the airport was blocked.

Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for Kiev's ‘anti-terrorist operation,’ wrote on Facebook that the military had given an ultimatum to the rebels to surrender. According to him, the gunmen didn't comply and the military launched an air strike.

An Associated Press journalist saw several vehicles carrying heavily armed separatists arrive near the airport. It was followed by several trucks full of reinforcements. Denis Pushilin, a separatist leader in Donetsk, said they had sent their fighters to the airport after some of their men were detained. According to media reports, one person was killed and two others wounded in the gunbattle.