Separatist rebels have shot down an IL-76 military transport plane over the eastern city of Luhansk today, killing all 49 troops and crew members on board.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported the plane was carrying a troop rotation into Luhansk, where the troops are fighting against rebels, who have taken most of the region.
The People’s Republic of Luhansk confirmed the shootdown was by forces loyal to them, and said the rocket was a 9K38 Igla, a Soviet-era shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft missile they said they looted from one of the seized National Guard bases in Luhansk.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was harshly critical of the heads of his country’s security service for allowing the plane to go in unprotected, hinting that it may lead to personnel changes.
Poroshenko also termed the shootdown an incident of “terrorism,” and insisted the military would act “decisively” to punish those responsible.
Maybe it should be wise to stop all this.Ukrainian forces could stop to bomb and sepratists will stop to shoot down troops transport.
The Kiev governement do nothing to stop escalation.Russian embassy is sourrended in Kiev by people who want to set fire (it is a speciality of pravy sector-remember Odessa).
As long as the ukrainian governement have Yatseniuk -crazy guy- as its member all these crazy things will continue.Remember my prophetic words !
I am sorry, but there is nothing to be proud of in this "prophecy". It does not matter whether Yatseniuk or some other nonentity is in Ukrainian government. As long as this "government" receives its orders from US embassy in Kyiv, the war will go on, with pointless deaths on both sides: US is trying to damage Russia and its EU competition at the same time, using Kyiv puppets as disposable pawns that they are. Even some people in the EU (not governments, though) are beginning to see through this game.
The rebels have shot themselves in the foot. The whole scam was to force Putin to invade in order to, supposedly, "protect" civilians who were being killed by the dastardly Ukrainian army. A group that can and does shoot down an unarmed transport plane cannot pose as innocent civilians. I don't see how Putin can now intervene to help them. And, of course, by revealing themselves as an armed insurgency, they justify a much tougher reaction on the part of the Ukrainians.
Ah yes, an 'unarmed" transport plane carrying Ukrainian soldiers bent on a mission of death and destruction to suppress the fighters for freedom in East Ukraine.
Almost like shooting down a Red Cross air ambulance isn't it?
If Kiev doesn't want to sustain casualties in East Ukraine, it can just get the hell out!
God. How stupid can you get.?
"Shoot down an unarmed transport plane"? This "unarmed" plane was carrying ARMED murderers to kill more East Ukrainian civilians. and weapons into East Ukraine.
The East Ukrainians have every right to defend themselves from a maurading government in Kiev which has stated that they will "liqudate" the whole population of East Ukraine.
What do you want them to do? Stand to attention whilst they are murdered?
Whether Putin intervenes or not the people of East Ukraine will continue to fight for their freedom.
Someone is lapping up Kerryious propganda.
> And, of course, by revealing themselves as an armed insurgency
Stop playing vidya games and try to keep up, m'kay? Armed insurgency is the whole point-