Ukraine Army Retakes Donetsk Airport; Dozens Killed

(Vatican Radio) Ukrainian authorities say they have retaken control of Donetsk international airport in the country's east, amid a second day of deadly clashes between troops loyal to Kyiv and pro-Russia separatists.

Listen to Stefan Bos’ report: 

Ukraine's interior ministry said Tuesday the military was "in full control" of the strategic facility, after fighting killed as many as 40 people and injured dozens, most of them pro-Russian forces.     

Gun-battles brought clashes to within 10 kilometers of the center of Donetsk, frightening local residents in what is the biggest city in Ukraine’s industrial east. 

The apparent military victory came as a boost for billionaire politician Petro Poroshenko who won Sunday's presidential election. 

Nicknamed the “Chocolate King” for his confectionery business, the president elect had warned he would prevent pro-Russia rebels turning the heartland of eastern Ukraine into a turbulent state such as Somalia. 

"They are just bandits, they are just killers, they are just terrorists," Poroshenko said, adding that he would not negotiate with them. "If you expected me to find out the support of these [armed] people [I have to day]: 'no way, no chance."    

Additionally Kyiv has reportedly ordered pro-Russian separatists occupying buildings in Donetsk to flee or face "precision weaponry." 

Poroshenko's planned crackdown has been condemned by rebel leader Denis Pushilin, a chairman of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic.  

"We have introduced Marshall law," Pushilin said. "Occupants have set foot on our territory. Poroshenko says he won't stop the so called anti-terrorist operation. What it means is that illegal actions will continue." 

The stand-off has added to global concern about the volatile situation in Ukraine. On Tuesday, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said it had lost contact with one of its international monitoring teams in Donetsk.

President-elect Poroshenko has made clear he wants a dialogue with neighboring Russia about ending the crisis in eastern Ukraine.   

Moscow says it is ready for a meeting, but adds those talks should be held without what it calls interference by the European Union and United States.  

Amid the wrangling, tensions remain high in Donetsk. 

On Tuesday a group of men set fire to Donetsk's main ice-hockey arena, which was to host the 2015 world championships. 

The indoor stadium is ironically called Druzhba, which means 'friendship' .