Raw: Ukraine Launches Airstrikes in Donetsk

SHOTLIST:

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Donetsk, Ukraine – May 26, 2014

1. Helicopter shelling the airport UPSOUND: gunfire

2. Helicopter flying overhead UPSOUND: gunfire

3. Smoke billowing from airport area

4. People running away

5. Vostok Battalion with pro-Russia fighters arriving

6. Various of armed men going into woods

7. Fighters taking positions on the ground

8. Armed men moving into the woods

9. Man with gun

10. Zoom into fighter pulling on the Vostok Battalion armband

11. Pan across fighters at their positions

12. Man tying shirt across his face, covering his face

13. Wide of fighters running across the road

STORYLINE:

Ukraine’s military launched airstrikes on Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk.

Heavy shelling was heard from the airport and dense black smoke rose in the air.

Fighter jets and military helicopters were seen flying overhead.

This appeared to be the most visible operation of the Ukrainian troops since they started a crackdown on an insurgency in the east last month.

Several vehicles full of dozens of heavily armed men were seen arriving to the area next to the airport.

The fighters said they belonged to the Vostok Battalion, a pro-Russia militia.

Half an hour later, several flatbed trucks full of reinforcements came in.

Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the government operation in the east, wrote on his Facebook account that the military had given an ultimatum to the armed men who had occupied the airport to lay down their arms.

He said the gunmen didn’t comply and the military launched an air strike.

Denis Pushilin, a leader of the separatists, said they had sent their men to the airport after some of their supporters were detained.

Many flights to or from Donetsk were delayed or cancelled on Monday.

Access to the airport was blocked by police.