We're now closing the live blog for today. We'll leave you with this update from our news desk. (Don't forget you can follow all our ongoing Ukraine coverage here):
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he may prematurely terminate a weeklong cease-fire because of attacks by pro-Russian separatists who also shot down a Ukrainian helicopter.
Poroshenko's statement today came after nine Ukrainian servicemen died when an Mi-8 military helicopter was hit by a rocket and crashed near the eastern city of Slovyansk.
That incident comes amid separatist attacks on Ukrainian military vehicles at the Donetsk airport early this morning and at checkpoints and border stations overnight that led to several injuries and one death.
Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine agreed yesterday to observe a temporary cease-fire until June 27.
Poroshenko declared a one-week cease-fire on June 20 as part of a peace plan to end fighting between government troops and the insurgents that has killed hundreds.
Poroshenko said insurgents have fired on Ukrainian positions 35 times since then.
11 Ukrainian troops killed less than 24h after pro-Russians agreed to ceasefire. #Poroshenko doesn't exclude ending ceasefire before June 27
— Myroslava Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) June 24, 2014
Ukraine's president may call off a ceasefire after rebels in the east downed a helicopter, killing all 9 on board: http://t.co/w23npm9JVd
— max seddon (@maxseddon) June 24, 2014
See who east Ukrainian rebels support in football ... World Cup adopted teams: who's following who around the world http://t.co/rCBi2RlNsX
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) June 24, 2014
Here's the latest Ukraine-related update from RFE/RL's news desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the Federation Council to revoke its authorization for Russian military forces to intervene in Ukraine.
But Putin said in Vienna today that Russia will continue to protect the interests of ethnic Russians in Ukraine.
Lawmakers are expected to withdraw the mandate on tomorrow.
Putin also said today that a temporary cease-fire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine should be extended and "used for substantial negotiations."
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin is trying to normalize the atmosphere and resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called Putin's request to lawmakers the "first practical step" by Russia toward settling the crisis.
Putin's announcement comes one day after EU foreign ministers urged the Kremlin to revoke the March 1 mandate authorizing Putin to deploy Russian troops in Ukraine.
Separatists shoot down Ukrainian helicopter, Putin says let's extend the "cease-fire": http://t.co/FpuCLiU8g2
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) June 24, 2014
VIENNA (AP) — Putin says weeklong cease-fire in Ukraine should be extended, accompanied by talks.
— Alicia A. Caldwell (@acaldwellap) June 24, 2014
News of the shooting down of a Ukrainian helicopter is also coming in on the wires:
A Ukrainian official says pro-Russian separatists have shot down a Ukrainian Army helicopter near the city of Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian security forces spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov said on his Facebook page that there were nine people on board the Mi-8 copter and all had died in the crash.
The incident comes one day after separatist officials in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions announced that they would observe a temporary cease-fire until June 27.
Might have to update that "the ceasefire appeared largely to have held" lead... reports of Ukrainian chopper down near Slavyansk, 9 dead.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) June 24, 2014
URGENT: #Ukraine helicopter brought down by self defense forces fire near Slavyansk, several feared dead - @Reuters via military spokesman
— RT (@RT_com) June 24, 2014