At the Donetsk airport, the antiaircraft gun used by terrorists to fire on the Antiterrorist Operation (ATO) forces was destroyed by fire from an army helicopter, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reports on its website.
Monday, May 26, at 5:30, the buildings of the Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev International Airport were seized by terrorists. At 13:00 the terrorists, who illegally entered the territory of the airport, were issued an ultimatum to lay down their arms and surrender to ATO military personnel. They were informed that, in the event of non-compliance, military force to liberate the buildings and territory of the Donetsk airport might be used.
The terrorists did not comply with the demands of Ukrainian law enforcement. As a result, after expiration of the ultimatum, airstrikes were launched on the positions of the militants. The aircraft Su-25 executed the warning shots to force the terrorists to comply with ATO demands, after which the MiG-29 aircraft fired at locations where the militants were assembled.
Currently the Mi-24 helicopters of the Army Aviation Forces of Ukraine are active in the area. They are providing fire support for the units that have landed at the airport.
At 14.40 strikes from the helicopters of the Army Aviation destroyed the anti-aircraft unit used by terrorists to fire on ATO forces.
However, several media sources reported that the terrorists allegedly knocked down a Ukrainian helicopter. The Ministry has not confirmed this information. A fierce battle is ongoing.
The ATO leadership again emphasizes that the goal of ATO forces is to stabilize the situation in the region, to restore the constitutional order, and to ensure peace and tranquility in the area of the operation by destroying illegal armed groups who threaten the life and safety of the residents of the region.
Source: http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=35021
