A ceasefire is technically in place in eastern Ukraine, but Donetsk International Airport continues to be the site of intense shelling and fighting between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists.
The fighting continues to rage throughout the rebel-held city of Donetsk. The Ukrainian army holds the airport, but the separatists have mounted frequent and sustained attacks in order to push the government forces out.
Чистилище, Донецкий аэропорт pic.twitter.com/uFjMI3UgPI
— Прапор (@Praporec) October 17, 2014The continuation of hostilities has prompted the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to release a report from their Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine on Oct. 17. The report found that the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine "remained tense."
Out at #Donetsk airport today, and i've never heard so much gunfire or explosions there as battle wages fiercely. pic.twitter.com/6XyYo0rCBn
— Graham Phillips (@GrahamWP_UK) October 17, 2014The report states that the monitoring mission heard repeated loud explosions throughout Donetsk and its surroundings that were consistent with artillery rounds. On-the-ground reporters have also circulated images of severe damage at the airport.
Heavy destruction at Donetsk airport. Russian forces constantly attacking. I landed here just couple of months ago. pic.twitter.com/xiWjM416Xs
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) October 17, 2014The fight for control of the Donetsk Airport remains one of the key sticking points standing in the way of a more robust ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. The separatists are unwilling to allow the Ukrainian government to retain control of the area, while the Ukrainian military refuses to withdrawal.
Большинство боевиков, штурмовавших донецкий аэропорт, дезертировала http://t.co/dD3BEJwiVKpic.twitter.com/KhLPKtV7P7
— ЄВРОМАЙДАН (@euromaidan) October 17, 2014Ukraine and Russia entered into high-level peace talks on Oct. 16 with other European governments in an attempt to bring an end to the increasingly frozen conflict. Despite encouraging words from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the official spokesman of the Kremlin condemned Europe for its biased treatment towards Russia.
Fighting for control of the airport has continued almost unabated since May, when the Ukrainian government first attempted to dislodge separatists who had taken control of the facility. Months of back-and-forth shelling between Ukrainian and separatist forces have left the airport being heavily damaged.
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