Military Il-76 jet downed by anti-Kiev forces in Lugansk - Ukraine's defense min.

Military IL-76 jet downed by anti-Kiev forces in Lugansk - Ukraine's defense min. (RT).

Anti-Kiev forces took down a Ukrainian military Il-76 jet as it was landing in Lugansk, the country’s Defense Ministry said. It did not provide details on casualties.

TSN.ua news website earlier cited an army source as saying that around 30 paratroopers were killed as self-defense forces hit the jet with a rocket early on Saturday.

The plane was transporting rotating military personnel and had “troops, machinery, equipment and food,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Il-76 is a heavy military transport aircraft that usually has a crew of seven and can transport up to 167 soldiers with weapons.

Meanwhile in Donetsk region, shooting resumed in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk late on Friday as the Ukrainian military continued its crackdown on self-defense forces in the country's east, a self-defense representative said.

Update:

 

Sergei Lavrov: Russia delivers humanitarian aid to the south-east of Ukraine through the militias.

Sergei Lavrov: Russia delivers humanitarian aid to the south-east of Ukraine through the militias. (RT).

Russia delivers humanitarian aid southeast Ukraine through militias. This was stated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

Russia delivers humanitarian aid to the east and south of Ukraine with the assistance of volunteers, as the Kiev authorities do not cooperate in this matter. On this, as reported by ITAR-TASS, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"We provide assistance in ways that are at our disposal, with the support of volunteers, who are concerned about their children, mothers, wives carry these burdens," - said Lavrov. More here.

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