@BBCDanielS Maybe #Russia media had a script for the story.
— Anders Östlund (@andersostlund) April 15, 2014
Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov says government forces have captured the airport in the eastern town of Kramatorsk.
There was shooting during today's siege of the airport, and an unclear number of casualties have been reported.
Russia's Rossiya 24 television channel showed footage of Ukrainian warplanes flying low over the Kramatorsk airport, as helicopters hovered over the area.
Ukrainian forces supported by armored vehicles have also entered the eastern city of Slovyansk.
Reports said some 500 Ukrainian troops backed by 20 armored vehicles and tanks entered Slovyansk early this evening.
As the operations started, Ukrainian General Valeriy Krutov said pro-Russian groups occupying government buildings in eastern Ukrainian cities and towns "must be warned that if they do not lay down their arms, they will be destroyed."
Turchynov announced yesterday that government forces would launch an "antiterrorist" operation against cities and towns in the east where pro-Russian groups had taken control of government buildings.
The Ukrainian general is briefly abducted, gets shoved around and now gets let in the airbase again
— Olaf Koens (@obk) April 15, 2014
Neither Russian sources nor pro-Maidan reliable on action in eastern #Ukraine. @ASLuhn is in #Kramatrosk reporting as eyewitness.
— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) April 15, 2014
Shooting was reported at Kramatorsk airport.
Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a witness as saying the Ukrainian military had taken control of the airport. No other confirmation was available.
There were reports of some casualties as a result of what was described as a battle.
The Reuters news agency cited a witness as saying two helicopters landed and Ukrainian troops disembarked at the airport.
The Russian television channel Rossiya 24 showed footage from Kramatorsk that included warplanes flying over the airport and helicopters hovering over the area.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces backed by armored vehicles reached the outskirts of Slovyansk, another town where a pro-Russian group has seized power.
The appearance of the Ukrainian forces comes one day after acting President Oleksander Turchynov vowed to use force if necessary to assert Ukrainian government control over at least 10 cities in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian groups have seized administrative buildings.
Most dangerous moment yet as #Ukraine forces try to retake town of #Kramatorsk from pro #Russia separatists. Rumour & misinformatn flying.
— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) April 15, 2014
Have to say lots of contradictory reports coming in and no one can say for sure what has or hasn't been taken, etc
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) April 15, 2014
Locals have set up a barricade outside Kramatorsk airfield. Anti-terrorist operation commander Krutov talking to angry crowd
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 15, 2014
Ukrainian army general is addressing people in #Kramatorsk airport. The crowd is getting angry
— Petr Shelomovskiy (@stopnarcotics) April 15, 2014
#Ukraine troops storm #Kramatorsk airfield, #Sloviansk; unconfirmed reports of casualties (LIVE UPDATES) http://t.co/dak99BA6w8 @KyivPost
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 15, 2014
Anti-terrorist operation finally started in Eastern #Ukraine. Separatist-controlled airfield in Kramatorsk stormed,APCs surrounded Sloviansk
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) April 15, 2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
This just in from our news desk:
Shooting has been reported at the Kramatorsk airport.
Russia's Interfax news agency cited the head of the pro-Russia Donbas volunteer group, Sergei Tsyplatkov, as saying two members of his force have been wounded.
The Reuters news agency cites a witness as saying two helicopters landed and Ukrainian troops disembarked at the airport.