Gunfire, Blasts As Donetsk Airport Becomes Scene Of Heavy Fighting

Pro-Russian separatists of the self-proclaimed "Vostok Battalion" preparing to board a truck at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city of Donetsk on May 25.

Pro-Russian separatists said to be from the self-proclaimed "Vostok Battalion" cheered on their comrades aboard a truck at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Donetsk on election day, one day before the airport fighting.

A military truck with heavily armed pro-Russian militants drives through a police checkpoint toward the airport of the eastern city of Donetsk.

Pro-Russian militants patrolling Donetsk's international airport early on May 26, before the heavy fighting erupted.

A pro-Russian militant takes up a position atop the Donetsk airport's roof.

The militants set up a mortar launcher atop Donetsk's international airport.

The terminal of Donetsk international airport is seen behind a cemetery.

Smoke rises from Donetsk's international airport during heavy fighting between Ukrainian and pro-Russian forces on May 26.

Smoke rises through a cemetery over the Donetsk airport during fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.

Smoke billows from Donetsk airport during heavy fighting between Ukrainian and pro-Russian forces.

A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter gunship fires its cannons at rebels at the main terminal building of Donetsk's international airport on May 26.