KIEV, April 24 (RIA Novosti) – Two helicopters of the National Guard of Ukraine were shelled by unknown assailants Wednesday night near Slaviansk, the service said Thursday.
It was earlier reported that an Mi-8 helicopter belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine was attacked on Wednesday in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Region. The crew was not injured in the attack.
"Yesterday, at 6:30 p.m. two helicopters of a military unit of the National Guard of Ukraine were patrolling certain areas around the city of Slaviansk, Donetsk Region. They were shelled by unknown persons near the village Rye-Alexandrovka," the National Guard said in a statement.
The aircraft were slightly damaged in the incident, but managed to land safely. The crew were unharmed.
Local militias in Slaviansk and Kramatorsk deny the helicopters were shelled anywhere near their positions.
"We know nothing of the sort. Just another hoax by the Ukrainian media," the Kramatorsk militia commander told RIA Novosti.
Federalization supporters in the eastern cities of Kharkiv, Donetsk, Gorlovka, Slaviansk and Kramatorsk have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government and have been holding rallies since March. In response, Ukraine’s interim authorities have launched a special operation to crack down on the protests. Moscow has denounced Kiev's actions.
