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Ukraine military plane hit

April 22, 2014

Small arms fire has forced a Ukrainian military aircraft to make an emergency landing. The reconnaissance plane was flying over eastern city of Slovyansk, where pro-Russian separatists have taken control.

https://p.dw.com/p/1BmJE
Symbolbild Ukraine Flugzeug Beschuss AN-30
Image: public domain

Ukraine's defense ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a military Antonov An-30 reconnaissance plane had been shot and damaged while flying over the city of Slovyansk. No one was injured in the incident.

"Thanks to the professional actions, military pilots managed to land the plane at the airfield without consequences," according to a defense ministry statement. "After a thorough examination and diagnosis, aircraft combat capability was full restored."

Tensions in the eastern Ukrainian city have sparked clashes between Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian authorities in recent days. The Moscow supporters, which are calling for secession from Ukraine in favor of annexation by the Russian Federation, have also taken control of the city government.

The attack on Tuesday came just hours after US Vice President Joe Biden addressed Ukrainian lawmakers in Kyiv during his diplomatic visit. He pledged both financial and political support, while warning the interim government to “fight the cancer of corruption that is endemic in your system right now.”

kms/jlw (AFP, Reuters)