Pro-Russia rebels claim to control Donetsk airport after battle

Pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine claimed Monday that they have seized control of the Donetsk airport after days of intense fighting. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed a retreat.

“All attempts of Ukrainian army to take the airport and to get revenge for the defeat of the last year ... have failed,” rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said at a news conference early Monday in Donetsk.

He accused Ukraine of using rocket and artillery fire with an intensity that rebel forces had “never experienced it before.”

The separatist stronghold was shaken by heavy outgoing and incoming artillery fire over the weekend as a battle raged for the air terminal and surrounding areas. Sporadic explosions could still be heard from the direction of the airport early Monday.

http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-prorussia-rebels-donetsk-airport-20150119-story.html