A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.
-- Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that Moscow and Kyiv have reached a "mutual understanding" on key parts of a plan proposed by President Petro Poroshenko for ending violence in separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine.
-- Reports say up to 20 armed gunmen were trying to seize property from a factory (Topaz) that makes communications and electronic-warfare equipment in the Donetsk region.
-- A deputy foreign minister says Russia will consider any expansion of NATO forces near its borders a "demonstration of hostile intentions" and "take the necessary political and military-technological measures to support our security."
-- A two-man crew for Russian Zvezda TV arrived in Moscow after being released from detention in Ukraine.
-- Serbian officials say their own work on the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline will have to be suspended after Bulgaria stopped construction of its portion based on EU and U.S. concerns.
-- Ukrainian security forces are reportedly still battling pro-Russian separatists in the east near Slovyansk and Donetsk.
*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Kyiv
An update on the Donetsk situation, from our newsroom:
Reports say the Ukrainian military has launched an offensive backed by combat aircraft at the main airport in Donetsk following its seizure by armed separatists.
AFP quotes a Ukranian military spokesperson as saying privately that forces launched the attack after an ultimatum to the separatists expired.
Western media report the sounds of explosions and shooting at the airport, with smoke billowing from inside its perimeter.
The main airport in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, shut down earlier May 26 after armed men demanded that soldiers guarding the perimeter of the airport be withdrawn.
The development comes as the leader of the separatist, self-declared Donetsk People's Republic said he is imposing martial law in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Denis Pushilin said in a tweet that martial law went into effect at 0000 on May 26.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
14:0226.5.2014
Here are some of AFP photographer Alexander Khudoteply's amazing pictures from Donetsk airport today. These are the heavily armed pro-Russian gunmen who initially seized the facility are are presumably engaged in the current pitched battle against Ukrainian military forces.
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A report by an OSCE-led observer mission says Ukraine's election was marked by authorities' resolve to hold "genuine election largely in line with international commitments."
13:4026.5.2014
Pro-Russian Anna News live streaming video from the vicinity of the Donetsk airport, where Ukrainian forces are battling separatists.
