Ukraine: army helicopter shot down, 14 dead

(Vatican Radio) Pro-Russian separatists have shot down a military helicopter near the town of Slovyansk in Ukraine's troubled eastern region, killing a Ukrainian general and 13 servicemen. Thursday's attack was confirmed by Ukraine's outgoing President Oleksandr Turchynov. 

Speaking in parliament, Turchynov said pro-Russian rebels used a Russian-made anti-aircraft system when shooting down an army helicopter outside the city of Slovyansk. 

He said all passengers, including General Volodymyr Kultchitsky,  died in the attack.     

The death toll is among the highest suffered by Ukraine's army, since pro-Russian forces launched a battle for control over eastern Ukraine in early April.

Eyewitnesses said the helicopter was hit while Ukrainian troops launched new operations in the area.

MORE FIGHTING

Shelling has been reported in the town of Slovyansk, injuring at least 10 people. Civilians are now seen fleeing the region. 

Rebels also said they have lost as many as 100 lives after their attempt to seize the international airport in the city of Donetsk was crushed by Ukrainian government forces earlier this week.

The clashes came after President-elect Petro Poroshenko vowed to crush the uprising in Ukraine's troubled east.

Poroshenko, who won Sunday's presidential poll with an overwhelming majority, has urged pro-Russian separatists to hand over their weapons in exchange for amnesty and talks about more rights for Russian speakers.  

DEFENDING RIGHTS

"For those people who don't take the weapons, we are open for any negotiation. To guarantee them security, to guarantee them defending of their rights, including speaking any language they want," he said.    

While there were no indications Thursday that pro-Russian separatists accepted his offer, there was some hope for four abducted international monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. 

Rebels said the team, which has been held near Donetsk since Tuesday, would soon be released. 

The detained Dane, a Turk, an Estonian and a Swiss, are among hundreds of observers sent to monitor compliance with an international accord aimed at de-escalating the crisis in eastern Ukraine.