KIEV, Ukraine
A Ukrainian plane targetted by pro-Russian separatists on Wednesday was not shot down, contrary to earlier media reports, said Ukrainian military spokesman, Olexiy Dmitrashkovsky.
Ukrainian media had reported claims by eyewitnesses, that the plane was shot down and that soldiers parachuted to safety. Dmitrashkovsky said that what the eyewitnesses thought were parachutes, were in fact flares deployed by the pilot to draw the missile away from the plane.
On July 23, the pro-Russian separatists, who clash with government forces, shot down two Ukrainian military planes, both Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircrafts, in the eastern region.
The downing of Malaysia flight MH17 last week, which killed 298 people on board, also led to an increase in tensions between Western powers and Russia.
At least 500 people have been killed since the Ukrainian army launched an anti-terror operation against pro-Russian separatists in April.
After Russia annexed Crimea in March following a referendum in the peninsula, pro-Russian separatists, hoping for a repeat scenario, in easternUkraine expressed their intention to break away from Kiev.
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