11:51
17.6.2014
As world wonders how UKR seprtists get tanks, rocket launchers, Pushkov wonders how Kyiv protesters got firecrackers. http://t.co/4UQoIwKgQb
— Robert Coalson (@CoalsonR) June 17, 2014
12:36
17.6.2014
Our news desk has issued this item on the death of another reporter in east Ukraine:
A Russian state television reporter has died from wounds sustained when his crew came under mortar fire in Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region.
The reporter's employer, the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, known as VGTRK, confirmed that 37-year-old Igor Kornelyuk had died.
The chief doctor of Luhansk District Clinical Hospital, Fedir Solyanyk, said Kornelyuk was rushed to hospital but died on his way to the operating room.
VGTRK said another member of the three-man TV crew, a sound technician, is missing.
The cameraman was reportedly unhurt.
Ukrainian government forces are battling pro-Russian separatists in the Luhansk and neighboring Donetsk regions.
VGTRK said the TV crew was at a separatist-manned checkpoint when it came under mortar fire.
The reporter's employer, the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, known as VGTRK, confirmed that 37-year-old Igor Kornelyuk had died.
The chief doctor of Luhansk District Clinical Hospital, Fedir Solyanyk, said Kornelyuk was rushed to hospital but died on his way to the operating room.
VGTRK said another member of the three-man TV crew, a sound technician, is missing.
The cameraman was reportedly unhurt.
Ukrainian government forces are battling pro-Russian separatists in the Luhansk and neighboring Donetsk regions.
VGTRK said the TV crew was at a separatist-manned checkpoint when it came under mortar fire.
12:39
17.6.2014
Russia's state-owned RT television station is now saying that two journalists have been killed in the Luhansk incident:
Survivor: Сolleagues were supposed to be out of range but shell flew straight into them http://t.co/8NWmgz5Qxc pic.twitter.com/VqeM5woCCy
— RT (@RT_com) June 17, 2014
12:45
17.6.2014
Kharkiv's mayor, who was shot in April, is returning to the city after receiving treatment in Israel. Our news desk reports:
Thousands have gathered at Kharkiv international airport in eastern Ukraine to meet Mayor Hennadiy Kernes, who survived a shooting attack in April and sought treatment in Israel.
Kernes supporters are carrying Ukrainian national flags and posters saying, "We Trusted You, We Waited for You!" and "Kernes! Kharkiv! Ukraine!"
Kernes is expected to give a press conference upon his arrival from Israel later today.
An unknown attacker shot Kernes while he was jogging in late April. He was operated on in a Kharkiv clinic and put into a medically induced coma.
Kernes was taken to a hospital in Haifa, Israel, on April 29, where he underwent two more operations.
Kernes first held a pro-Russian stance but later changed to position himself as largely loyal to the pro-Western government in Kyiv.
Kernes supporters are carrying Ukrainian national flags and posters saying, "We Trusted You, We Waited for You!" and "Kernes! Kharkiv! Ukraine!"
Kernes is expected to give a press conference upon his arrival from Israel later today.
An unknown attacker shot Kernes while he was jogging in late April. He was operated on in a Kharkiv clinic and put into a medically induced coma.
Kernes was taken to a hospital in Haifa, Israel, on April 29, where he underwent two more operations.
Kernes first held a pro-Russian stance but later changed to position himself as largely loyal to the pro-Western government in Kyiv.
12:48
17.6.2014
Huge crowd greets #Kharkiv Governor @GennadyKernes upon his return to #Ukraine. Live: https://t.co/6eaqpisczi pic.twitter.com/VMuQ8VB950
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) June 17, 2014
13:09
17.6.2014
RT has video of the incident when the two journalists were killed, after mortar fire in Luhansk.
13:23
17.6.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has been talking to people on the streets of Kyiv about acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia describiung Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "di*ckhead" (issued by our multimedia department):
13:33
17.6.2014
Russian agencies are reporting that a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Europe has blown up in central Ukraine sending flames hundreds of meters into the air. More from our news desk:
The Interior Ministry branch in Ukraine's Poltavska region said no one was injured in the June 17 blast but that firefighters were having a difficult time getting the blaze under control.
The explosion happened along the Urengoy-Pomory-Uzhgorod pipeline that can transport some 29 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia into Hungary, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
Ukrainian officials will not be able to determine how long the pipeline will be out of operation until the fire is extinguished and an investigation can be conducted.
There was no news on a possible cause of the explosion.
The Interior Ministry branch in Ukraine's Poltavska region said no one was injured in the June 17 blast but that firefighters were having a difficult time getting the blaze under control.
The explosion happened along the Urengoy-Pomory-Uzhgorod pipeline that can transport some 29 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia into Hungary, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
Ukrainian officials will not be able to determine how long the pipeline will be out of operation until the fire is extinguished and an investigation can be conducted.
There was no news on a possible cause of the explosion.
13:34
17.6.2014
RT has a photo it says shows the flames following the pipeline explosion.