Just in from RFE/RL's News Desk:
Ukrainian officials have denied claims by pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Luhansk region that they have shot down two Ukrainian military jets.
A spokesman for Ukraine's military, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, rejected the claims on February 3, saying separatists "had not shot down any Ukrainian plane, either today or yesterday."
Motuzyanyk's statement came hours after the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Igor Plotnitsky, claimed forces under his control downed a Ukrainian SU-25 jet, which is used to provide close air support for ground troops.
Plotnitsky said the pilot ejected before the plane crashed near the town of Irmino.
Earlier, pro-Russian separatists who control parts of the eastern region of Donetsk claimed they shot down another Ukrainian military plane near the government-controlled town of Debaltseve.
VIDEO: The town of Debaltseve has been caught in the crossfire between Ukrainian military forces and separatist fighters for more than two weeks. Many residents have fled, and those who remain are struggling to survive as food supplies dwindle and the fighting draws closer. (Produced by Zinaida Burskaya for RFE/RL's Current Time program)
By RFE/RL
Amnesty International says the situation in the eastern Ukrainian town of Debaltseve is “catastrophic,” with thousands of residents “desperately sheltering from heavy shelling" and in need of running water, food, electricity, and basic medical supplies.
The London-based human rights group said on February 3 that Debaltseve has been under constant shelling by the pro-Russian separatists who have been attempting to seize it from government forces.
Amensty researchers on the ground said some attacks may have been indiscriminate.
Debaltseve is within a narrow strip of land in the eastern region of Donestk that is under Ukrainian government control in the midst of territory controlled by separatists.
It has been the scene of heavy fighting for more than two weeks, with separatists pushing forward with an offensive they say is aimed at controlling all of the Donetsk region.
Amnesty says Debaltseve's population of 25,000 has dwindled to about 7,000, and constant shelling of the only road out of town makes the escape of the remaining civilians "even more dangerous."