- Ukrainian security spokesmen say government jets carried out strikes today
- Pro-Russian rebels had taken over parts of the airport in eastern city
- All flights to and from regional transport hub have been cancelled
- Separatists had arrived at the airport in Donetsk earlier today
- They demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces policing the perimeter
- Strike comes after victory of Petro Poroshenko in yesterday's election
- Chocolate magnate Poroshenko, tells news conference he will not negotiate with 'terrorists' in eastern Ukraine
Ukraine has launched an air strike on pro-Russia rebels and have sent in paratroopers after the rebels seized Donetsk airport today.
Ukrainian security spokesmen said government jets and a helicopter carried out strikes against pro-Russian forces who had taken over parts of the main airport in the eastern city of Donetsk.
Spokesmen for the government's joint forces operation against the separatists said paratroopers had also landed during action that followed the victory of chocolate magnate Petro Poroshenko in yesterday's presidential election.
Smoke: Armed pro-Russian separatists took over Donetsk's international airport terminal in eastern Ukraine on Monday after forcing its closure
Attack: Plumes of black smoke can be seen pouring from the airport, close to the control tower
Action: Pro-Russian militants take position on the roof of the international airport of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk
Strike: Ukrainian security spokesmen said government jets and a helicopter carried out strikes against pro-Russian forces who had taken over parts of the main airport in the eastern city
Journalists near Sergei Prokofiev International Airport reported hearing repeated gunfire and explosions for some 90 minutes that were continuing at 3pm local time.
Witnesses also reported seeing thick black smoke coming from within the perimeter as jets flew high overhead.
Home to around one million people, Donetsk is largely in the hands of pro-Russian separatists who prevented local people taking part in Ukraine's presidential election on Sunday.
The gunfire erupted at the airport shortly after the election victor, Petro Poroshenko, said during a news conference in the Ukrainian capital Kiev that he would not negotiate with 'terrorists' in eastern Ukraine.
Surrounding: Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke coming from within the perimeter of the airport as jets flew high overhead
Siege: A man believed to be a pro-Russian militant, armed with a gun and wearing a balaclava, takes position inside the airport
Unwelcoming: A masked gunman stands alongside a sign which would normally tell arriving passengers 'Donetsk welcomes you'
Taking aim: A pro-Russian gunman is poised on the roof of the airport
Donetsk airport authorities announced its closure to flights earlier today after the separatists arrived at the facility, demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces, who have been policing the perimeter.
The pro-Russians had also blocked off the road to the airport in Donetsk, a major eastern city, causing delays.
Many flights in and out of the regional transport hub have been cancelled or delayed, and access to the airport was blocked by police.
'The rebels are in the terminal. The rest of the airport area is controlled by the (Ukrainian) National Guard. The two sides are in talks now,' airport spokesman Dmitry Kosinov said.
Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for Kiev's anti-terrorist operation, wrote on his Facebook account that the military presented an ultimatum earlier this afternoon to unknown armed men who had occupied the airport to lay down the arms.
He said the gunmen did not comply and the military launched an air strike.
The pro-Moscow rebels have declared autonomous 'people's republics' in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk following makeshift referendums on May 11. They say the two regions are no longer part of Ukraine.
Vow: Prior to news of the strike, Ukraine's new president-elect Petro Poroshenko had promised to negotiate an end to a pro-Russia insurgency in the east and saying he was willing to begin talks with Moscow
Sporting chance: Mr Poroshenko appeared alongside Kiev mayoral candidate, heavyweight boxer Vitalii Klitschko at the press-conference in Kiev today
Only about 20 per cent of the two regions' polling stations functioned in Sunday's presidential election and many voters stayed at home, fearful for their safety. No polling stations were open in the city of Donetsk.
A spokeswoman for the separatists said the group now at the airport was the 'East' battalion which took part in clashes last Friday with a Ukrainian militia just west of Donetsk in which at least two people were killed.
Denis Pushilin, a leader of the separatists, said they had sent their men to the airport after some of their supporters were detained.
Prior to news of the strike, Ukraine's new president-elect had promised to negotiate an end to a pro-Russia insurgency in the east and saying he was willing to begin talks with Moscow.
Russia quickly welcomed the offer from 48-year-old Mr Poroshenko, raising hopes that his election will indeed ease the protracted crisis that has fueled tensions unseen since the end of the Cold War.
Weapon: A pro-Russian fighter armed with a rocket launcher during the clash with Ukrainian troops at the airport
Poised: Pro-Russian insurgents aim their rifles during fighting around the airport
Supplies: A truck carrying scored pro-Russian militants and weapons arrives close to the airport today
Mr Poroshenko, known for his pragmatism, supports building strong ties with Europe but also has stressed the importance of mending relations with Moscow. Upon claiming victory in Sunday's vote, he said his first step as president would be to visit the Donbass eastern industrial region, where pro-Russia separatists have seized government buildings, declared independence and battled government troops in weeks of fighting.
'Peace in the country and peace in the east is my main priority,' Mr Poroshenko said today, signaling that he would bring to an end the Ukrainian army's much-criticized campaign to drive out the armed pro-Russia separatists.
'The anti-terrorist operation cannot and should not last two or three months,' he said. 'It should and will last hours.'
The military operation has caused civilian deaths and destroyed property - angering many eastern residents - while still failing to crush the rebellion.
The president-elect also had harsh words for the pro-Russia gunmen, comparing them to Somalia pirates.
'Their goal is to turn Donbass into a Somalia where they would rule with the power of machine guns. l will never allow that to happen on the territory of Ukraine,' Mr Poroshenko said, adding that he hoped Russia would support his efforts to stabilize the east.
Masked: His face covered with a camouflage scarf, this gunman stands sentry inside the usually bustling airport
Attack: The main airport in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk was rocked by an explosion and heavy shooting after armed rebels seized the facility
In Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia appreciated Mr Poroshenko's statements about the importance of Ukraine's ties with Russia and his pledge to negotiate an end to fighting in the east.
'We are ready for dialogue with representatives of Kiev, with Petro Poroshenko,' Mr Lavrov said at a briefing, adding it was a chance that 'cannot be wasted.'
He emphasized that Moscow saw no need for any involvement by the United States or the European Union in those talks.
'We don't need any mediators,' he said pointedly.
Mr Lavrov also noted Russia's longstanding call for the Kiev government to end its military operation in eastern Ukraine.
The rebels had vowed to block Sunday's voting in the east. Less than 20 percent of the polling stations were open there after gunmen intimidated residents by smashing ballot boxes, shutting down polling centers and issuing threats.
But nationwide, about 60 percent of Ukraine's 35.5 million eligible voters turned out Sunday, and long lines snaked around polling stations in the pro-Western capital, Kiev.
With votes from 75 percent of the precincts counted Monday, Mr Poroshenko was leading with about 54 percent in the field of 21 candidates.
View: The black smoke billowing from Donetsk international airport could be seen from a nearby cemetery
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was running a distant second with 13 percent.
If those results hold,Mr Poroshenko would avoid a runoff election next month with the second-place finisher.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Poroshenko struck a tone of unity today, saying he had no 'rivals or political opponents in the race' and all of the other main candidates have congratulated him on his win.
'More than ever, Ukraine now needs to be united,' he said.
Mykhaylo Okhendovsky, chairman of the Central Election Commission, said official results would be announced by June 5.
The election, which came three months after pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych was chased from office by crowds following months of street protests and allegations of corruption, was seen as a critical step toward resolving Ukraine's protracted crisis.
Since his ouster in February, Russia has annexed the Crimea Peninsula in southern Ukraine, the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk have declared their independence from Kiev, and the interim Ukrainian government has launched an offensive in the east to quash an uprising.
The interim Kiev government and the West have accused Russia of backing the separatist uprising. Moscow has denied the accusations.
Unlike many other Ukrainian billionaires, Mr Poroshenko did not make his fortune in murky post-Soviet privatizations but instead built his chocolate empire from scratch. His Willy Wonka-like chocolate stores and candies are on sale in every kiosk across the country, helping lead to the perception that he is the 'good tycoon.'
Many voters appreciate Mr Poroshenko's pragmatism and his apparent knack for compromise.
President Barack Obama praised Ukrainians for participating in the voting 'despite provocations and violence.'
Obama said the U.S. supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejects Russia's 'occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea' and is eager to work with the next president.
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