New | Rebels shoot down Ukrainian military helicopter, killing at least 12
Latest blow to Kiev comes as United States says Russian troops are withdrawing from Ukraine border
Rebels shot down a Ukrainian military helicopter on Thursday, killing at least 12 soldiers, including a general who had served in the Soviet army and was in charge of combat training.
The loss underscored the challenge Ukrainian forces face in fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency that has proven to be an agile foe.
The Mi-8 helicopter was downed on the outskirts of Slavyansk by rebels using a portable air defence missile, according to Oleksandr Turchynov, Ukraine’s acting president, in remarks to parliament in Kiev. Slavyansk, a city of 120,000 people, has become a focal point for the insurgency and has for weeks been encircled by Ukrainian troops.
Turchynov said the helicopter was rotating troops into a checkpoint when it came under rebel fire. Among the dead was General Serhiy Kulchytskiy, who the Interfax news agency said had once served in the Soviet army and was in charge of training Ukraine’s National Guard.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US hasn’t verified what happened in the incident, but he added that Washington is concerned because it indicates the separatists still have access to advanced weapons and are getting help from outside Ukraine, alluding to Russia.
While Ukrainian forces may be better equipped that their opponents, fears the fighting could degenerate into brutal urban warfare have so far held authorities back from ordering an all-out assault.
