Ukrainian Security and Defense Council: Terrorists have shot down two Ukrainian military aircrafts

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Kyiv, 23 July 2014 – Today, terrorists shot down two Ukrainian military aircrafts. Perhaps using missile systems supplied by Russia, said Colonel Andriy Lysenko, Ukrainian Security and Defense Council Information Center spokesman, at his briefing in Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

Near the Dmytrivka village today, four SU-25 attack aircrafts were providing fire support to the Ukrainian troops defending positions at the Ukrainian border. After their task was completed, they were attacked by terrorists who used missile systems. Despite missile evasion maneuvers and infrared countermeasures, two jets were shot down at 2500m height. The pilots ejected from the aircrafts. According to preliminary data the missiles were launched from the territory of Russian Federation.

The spokesman for Security and Defense Council Information Center also said that the National Bureau for Investigation of Civil Aviation Accidents and Incidents will sign an agreement with the Dutch Air Safety Board authorizing the Dutch counterpart to investigate the Boeing-777 crash.

A team of international experts comprising representatives of the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the European Aviation Safety Agency continue to investigate the disaster. The team is working in the office of the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Service Enterprise.

The first two airplanes carrying Boeing-777 passengers’ bodies have departed from Kharkov to the Netherlands. Representatives of the Ukrainian National Bureau for Investigation of Civil Aviation Accidents and Incidents have been sent to the UK to convoy the on-board flight recorders.

In the meantime, fighting continues aimed at liquidating armed gangs in the east of Ukraine. The National Guard of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting in the vicinity of Lysychansk, near a bridge across the Siversky Donets River.

The spokesman for Security and Defense Council Information Center also reported: “Today as a result of steady and straightforward actions of Ukrainian Armed Forces and other uniform agencies invlolved in anti-terrorist operation three towns were released: Karlivka, Netaylovo and Pervomayske. Demonstrating courage and heroism, Ukrainian forces continue the operation directed to encirclement of Donetsk.

At the same time terrorists continue their provocative actions. They hit their “Grad” Multiple Launch Rocket system and shoot peaceful residential areas, trying to discredit the ATO forces.

Saboteurs are deliberately destroying and damaging infrastructure facilities in the Luhansk region. “This is done to undermine the economy of Ukraine’s eastern regions, as instructed by the Russian Federation,” said Andriy Lysenko.

In particular, terrorists have planted mines in a building in the Stepnoy district in Luhansk, and are destroying crops near the Khryaschuvate Village in the Krasnodon district where more than 200 hectares of crops have been burnt down.

Despite the terrorists’ prohibition, Donetsk local authorities have organized safe evacuation of children to recreational centers. For instance, 34 students of the Maryinska boarding school no. 1 based in Donetsk have arrived to the Holubok recreation center in Svyatohirsk. Also, students of the regional boarding school no. 1 have left town to go to a recreation center in the Zaporizhya region.