Ukraine forces "repel pro-Russian fighters attack on Donetsk airport"September 13, 2014 - 18:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukrainian government troops say they have repelled an attack by pro-Russian fighters on Donetsk airport, BBC News reported. All Saturday, September 13 morning gunfire was heard from the area, controlled by government forces despite rebel victories in the rest of the eastern city, with fresh violence as a big challenge to a fragile ceasefire agreed on September 5. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has accused Russia of wanting to "eliminate" his country. Ukraine and Western countries accuse Russia of intervening on the side of pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies this. The BBC says most of the gunfire around the airport sounded like artillery, but that multiple rocket launchers have also been in use. On Friday night, a volley fired from somewhere much closer to the centre of the city was heard. There are additional reports of plumes of black smoke rising above the airport. A couple of hundred Ukrainian army troops have been holed up at the airport since June - but BBC says that something more concerted now appears to be going on there. Also on Saturday morning, Russian customs officials said that a Russian aid convoy had crossed into eastern Ukraine. A spokesman for the European security watchdog, the OSCE, told BBC that 220 Russian lorries had passed the border overnight and on Saturday morning - the majority of which were not inspected by either Ukraine or international observers. Kiev and Western officials fear such convoys may contain military equipment to help the fighters, but Russia insists they contain essential humanitarian supplies such as generators, food and drink. A similar convoy entered the country last month without Ukraine's permission, sparking condemnation from the U.S. and the EU. Nato says Russia still has about 1,000 heavily armed troops in eastern Ukraine and about 20,000 more near the border. Russia denies sending direct military help to the militants, insisting that any Russian soldiers there are "volunteers". Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |