Saturday, June 14, 2014

Ukraine Separatists Down Army Plane, Killing 49; President Poroshenko Declares "Day of Mourning"

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has declared a "day of mourning" for those killed in the deadliest attack on national troops since the pro-Russian uprising began in the country's south and east, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (June 14, 2014).

Officials said 49 people -- 40 troops and nine crew members -- perished when a Ukrainian army  transport aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile last night as it approached Luhansk airport, where heavily armed separatists control much of the area.

Poroshenko said in his statement that the day of mourning, June 15, marks "a great loss not only for the families of the victims but also for the whole country. Ukraine is in sorrow, but we strongly continue the struggle for peace."

The escalation in fighting comes after weeks of images of Russian gunmen crossing the border and amid fresh allegations by the United States that "separatists in eastern Ukraine have acquired heavy weapons and military equipment from Russia, including Russian tanks and multiple rocket launchers."

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