Fighting breaks out between Ukrainian forces and rebels in Donetsk, where MH17 was shot down

Lucinda Borkett-Jones

Fighting broke out between the Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine this morning

Tanks were seen going towards the city's train station and airport and locals are fleeing, BBC reporters said on Twitter.

The BBC's Will Vernon wrote: "Lots of buses speeding towards #Donetsk train station. Evacuating civilians from station area. Colleague saw dead civilian lying in yard".

Foreign Correspondent Fergal Keane also said: "#Donetsk rebel commander just told us Ukrainian forces attacking around rail station and airport."

Tensions between Russia and Kiev have focussed on Donetsk, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to retake the city in what Kiev describes as an "anti-terrorist operation" against the separatists.

The airport was at the centre of fighting between Ukrainian armed forces and rebels on May 26, when separatists grounded all flights.

Grabavo village, where the Malaysian Airlines passenger plane flight MH17 was shot down on Thursday, is in the Donetsk region.

Most Popular
Who was St Patrick and why is he patron saint of Ireland?

Who was St Patrick and why is he patron saint of Ireland?

Retired pastor prosecuted under abortion buffer zone laws 

Retired pastor prosecuted under abortion buffer zone laws 

Gateway Church founder Robert Morris charged with child sex abuse

Gateway Church founder Robert Morris charged with child sex abuse

False claims of 'Christian genocide' in Syria put church at risk

False claims of 'Christian genocide' in Syria put church at risk

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 shot down in Ukraine, killing all 295 passengers onboard
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 shot down in Ukraine, killing all 295 passengers onboard

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 shot down in Ukraine, killing all 295 passengers onboard

Head of World Evangelical Alliance calls for peace in Ukraine after MH17 plane crash
Head of World Evangelical Alliance calls for peace in Ukraine after MH17 plane crash

Head of World Evangelical Alliance calls for peace in Ukraine after MH17 plane crash

MH17: Call for prayers following Malaysia Airlines tragedy
MH17: Call for prayers following Malaysia Airlines tragedy

MH17: Call for prayers following Malaysia Airlines tragedy

News
Sex offender ‘manipulating’ system to stay in the UK as ‘Christian’ asylum seeker
Sex offender ‘manipulating’ system to stay in the UK as ‘Christian’ asylum seeker

Immigration judges found his history of sexual offences did not invalidate his claim to Christian conversion

Disappointment as St Albans council votes to end prayers before meetings
Disappointment as St Albans council votes to end prayers before meetings

A local Christian leader in the city of St Albans has criticized a vote by the council to scrap prayers before official meetings.

Who was St Joseph and what do we know about him?
Who was St Joseph and what do we know about him?

The 19th of March is St Joseph’s Day, which in some countries is known as Father’s Day, but who was St Joseph and what do we know about him? This is the story …

Calls for urgent policy reforms to address widening marriage gap between rich and poor
Calls for urgent policy reforms to address widening marriage gap between rich and poor

A new report released by the Marriage Foundation has called for urgent policy changes by the government to address what it describes as a "calamitous" marriage gap of 51 per cent between wealthy and low-income couples.