PHOTOS: Presidential election in Ukraine sparks more fighting
May 26, 2014
Ukrainian medical staff prepare to clean the body of a killed pro-Russian fighter at the Kalinina morgue in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, on May 27, 2014. Ukraine said today it had regained control of the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk after a day of punishing air strikes and fierce fighting with pro-Moscow separatist gunmen left dozens of people dead. (FABIO BUCCIARELLI/AFP/Getty Images) ( 530169427 )
Firemen work on the damaged Druzhba Hockey Arena in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, burned by unknown armed men, after they extinguished the fire on May 27, 2014. A fierce battle erupted Monday for control of the main airport in rebel-held eastern Ukraine in a dramatic escalation of the conflict. (Alexander KHUDOTEPLY/AFP/Getty Images) ( 530161878 )
A man repairs a damaged window after night of combat between pro-Russia separatists with Ukrainian troops in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk on May 27, 2014. Ukrainian paratroopers and pro-Russian rebels were battling Tuesday for control of Donetsk airport after a day of intense firefights that marked a sharp escalation of the conflict in the east of the country. (VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) ( 530161976 )
Women react in the Ukrainian city of Slavyansk after a night of combat between pro-Russia separatists with Ukrainian troops on May 27, 2014. Ukrainian paratroopers and pro-Russian rebels were battling Tuesday for control of Donetsk airport after a day of intense firefights that marked a sharp escalation of the conflict in the east of the country. (VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) ( 530162180 )
A Ukrainian man stands in front of a destroyed truck, which was previously used by pro-Russian militants and which was bombed by Ukrainian army soldiers overnight during clashes, in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, on May 27, 2014. Ukraine said today it had regained control of the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk after a day of punishing air strikes and fierce fighting with pro-Moscow separatist gunmen left dozens of people dead. (FABIO BUCCIARELLI/AFP/Getty Images) ( 530169354 )
In this photo taken Monday, May 26, 2014, pro-Russian militia men arrive to take positions outside an airport, in Donetsk, Ukraine. Exit polls from Sunday's first round of the new presidential election predict Petro Poroshenko will be elected president in this bitterly divided country, and he vowed "to bring peace to the Ukrainian land", yet he described the separatists as "Somali pirates" and authorities in Kiev launched strikes against the militants. (AP Photo/Max Vetrov) ( Ukraine )
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine, where government forces fought insurgents Monday over Ukraine's second-largest airport in Donetsk, using jets and helicopter gunships. Dozens were reported killed. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) ( Russia Lavrov )
Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko leaves after the vote at a polling station during presidential and mayoral elections in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. Ukraine's critical presidential election got underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country rocked by a deadly uprising in the east. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov) ( Ukraine )
Presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko walks in front of screen displaying results of the presidential elections in Ukraine prior his press-conference in Kiev on May 26, 2014. Billionaire Petro Poroshenko said Monday after claiming victory in Ukraine's presidential election that he wanted to continue the military offensive in the separatist east but also to make it more "efficient". "I support continuing the operation, but I demand that its format be changed," Poroshenko told reporters a day after Ukraine's presidential vote. "It must be shorter in terms of time-frames and more efficient". SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images ( 530146288 )
Ukraine presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko speaks to press in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. An exit poll showed that billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko won Ukraine's presidential election outright Sunday in the first round ó a vote that authorities hoped would unify the fractured nation. (AP Photo/Olexander Prokopenko, Pool) ( Ukraine Election )
People cast ballots in the polling station in Kiev on May 25, 2014. Ukraine began voting on Sunday in a presidential election seen as the most important in the country's history as it grapples with a deadly pro-Russian rebellion in the east. Thirty-six million people are registered to vote, but the separatist insurgents have threatened to block polling in areas under their control in the industrial east. ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images ( 530124995 )
A woman casts her vote in a polling booth on May 25, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The Ukrainian Presidential elections, taking place today, are widely viewed as crucial to taming instability in the eastern part of the country. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) ( 493771403 )
Member of the election commission in a traditional Ukrainian costume carries a mobile ballot box during voting in a presidential election at polling station in the village of Fiyna in the Lviv region of western Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Petro Zadorozhnyy) ( APTOPIX Ukraine )
Orthodox monks receive their ballots during voting in a presidential election at polling station in the village of Fiyna in the Lviv region of western Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Petro Zadorozhnyy) ( Ukraine )
Election commission officials count ballots at a polling station in Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Ukraine's critical presidential election went underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country. An exit poll showed that billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko won election in the first round. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( Ukraine )
Election commission officials count ballots at a polling station in Kiev, Ukraine, on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Ukraine's critical presidential election went underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country. An exit poll showed that billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko won election in the first round. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( Ukraine )
Election commission officials count ballots at a polling station in Lviv, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. An exit poll showed that billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko won Ukraine's presidential election outright Sunday in the first round ??? a vote that authorities hoped would unify the fractaured nation. (AP Photo/Pavlo Palamarchuk) ( Ukraine Election )
Ukrainians read newspapers at a metro station, in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, May 26, 2014. Early returns on Monday suggested candy tycoon Petro Poroshenko was ahead in the first round of balloting of the Ukraine presidential election. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( Ukraine )
Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko, left, shake hands with Vitali Klitschko during their press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. An exit poll showed that billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko won Ukraine's presidential election and Vitali Klitschko won Kiev's mayoral outright Sunday in the first round ó a vote that authorities hoped would unify the fractaured nation. (AP Photo/Mykola Lazarenko, Pool) ( Ukraine Election )
Ukrainian's President Elect Petro Poroshenko, (L) speaks to the media during a press conference on May 26, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Although the official results are expected on late Monday, Mr Poroshenko, a confectionery tycoon known as the 'Chocolate King' is expected to secure the countries Presidency after exit polls suggest the he had secured around 56% of the vote. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) ( 493891855 )
Black smoke billows from Donetsk international airport, seen behind a cemetery, during heavy gun battle between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian militants in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 26, 2014. Ukraine scrambled fighter jets and combat helicopters to strike rebel gunmen who seized control of the main airport in the eastern city of Donetsk on May 26, triggering heavy gunbattles and Ukrainian combat helicopters hitting an airport terminal. The fierce confrontation erupted after Ukrainian oligarch Petro Poroshenko, who claimed victory in Sunday's crucial presidential election, vowed to press on with an offensive against pro-Russian separatists waging a bloody insurgency across the east. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images ( 530152758 )
Smoke rises from the airport outside Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched airstrikes Monday against the separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk, suggesting that fighting in the east is far from over. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) ( APTOPIX Ukraine )
A farmer pushes a cart with hay near Donetsk international airport during a heavy gun battle between Ukrainian and pro-Russian forces in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 26, 2014. A fierce battle erupted for control of the main airport in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, just hours after future president Petro Poroshenko vowed he would not let the country become another Somalia. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images ( 530150161 )
Men stand next to armed pro-Russian militants as a woman runs away during clashes with Ukrainian forces near the airport in Donetsk on May 26, 2014. The battle at the airport in the main eastern rebel-held city of Donetsk on Monday marked a dramatic new phase in the government's offensive against pro-Russian separatists. The fierce confrontation erupted after Ukrainian oligarch Petro Poroshenko, who claimed victory in Sunday's crucial presidential election, vowed he would not let the separatists turn the east into another Somalia. FABIO BUCCIARELLI/AFP/Getty Images ( 530155753 )
Pro-Russian insurgents arrive with weapons, near the airport outside Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched airstrikes Monday against the separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk, suggesting that fighting in the east is far from over. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) ( APTOPIX Ukraine )
Pro-Russian militants take positions during combat with Ukrainian troops at the international airport of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 26, 2014. Ukraine scrambled fighter jets and combat helicopters to strike rebel gunmen who seized control of the main airport in the eastern city of Donetsk on May 26, triggering heavy gunbattles and Ukrainian combat helicopters hitting the main terminal building. The fierce confrontation erupted after Ukrainian oligarch Petro Poroshenko, who claimed victory in Sunday's crucial presidential election, vowed to press on with an offensive against pro-Russian separatists waging a bloody insurgency across the east. Alexander KHUDOTEPLY/AFP/Getty Images ( 530150039 )
Pro-Russian gunmen take positions near the airport, outside Donetsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched air strikes Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk in what appeared to be the most visible operation of the Ukrainian troops since they started a crackdown on insurgents last month. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
A Ukrainian helicopter gunship flies above areas where pro-Russian militias have taken positions around the airport, outside Donetsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched air strikes Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk in what appeared to be the most visible operation of the Ukrainian troops since they started a crackdown on insurgents last month. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
Pro-Russian gunmen take positions near the airport, outside Donetsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched air strikes Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk, although exit polls from Sunday's first round of the new presidential election predict Petro Poroshenko will be elected president in this bitterly divided country, and he vowed "to bring peace to the Ukrainian land".(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
A Pro-Russian gunman holds an icon received from a woman in Lenin Square, Donetsk, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. A convoy of an armored personnel carrier and seven trucks carrying several hundred heavily armed men drove through central Donetsk early Sunday afternoon and gunmen got out of the trucks, stood to attention and gave shots in the air in jubilation as a crowd of several thousand supporters cheered them and chanted: "Heroes!". Ukraine's critical presidential election got underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country rocked by a deadly uprising in the east. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
A pro-Russian militant with holds a rocket launcher during combat with Ukrainian troops at the international airport of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 26, 2014. Ukraine scrambled fighter jets and combat helicopters to strike rebel gunmen who seized control of the main airport in the eastern city of Donetsk on May 26, triggering heavy gunbattles and Ukrainian combat helicopters hitting the main terminal building. The fierce confrontation erupted after Ukrainian oligarch Petro Poroshenko, who claimed victory in Sunday's crucial presidential election, vowed to press on with an offensive against pro-Russian separatists waging a bloody insurgency across the east. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER KHUDOTEPLY ( 530150073 )
Pro-Russian gunmen take positions near the airport, outside Donetsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched air strikes Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk in what appeared to be the most visible operation of the Ukrainian troops since they started a crackdown on insurgents last month. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
Pro-Russian fighters take position behind trees during clashes against Ukrainian forces near the airport in Donetsk on May 26, 2014. The battle at the airport in the main eastern rebel-held city of Donetsk on Monday marked a dramatic new phase in the government's offensive against pro-Russian separatists. The fierce confrontation erupted after Ukrainian oligarch Petro Poroshenko, who claimed victory in Sunday's crucial presidential election, vowed he would not let the separatists turn the east into another Somalia. FABIO BUCCIARELLI/AFP/Getty Images ( 530154540 )
A local man attempts to extinguish a fire in a destroyed shed, following a mortar attack during fighting between Ukrainian government troops and insurgents, outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Pro-Russian insurgents are likely to prevent voting Sunday in half or more of the election districts in the embattled east, Ukrainian officials say. The insurgents have controlled parts of Ukraine for weeks. Following their declaration of independence earlier this month, they pledged to derail the vote which they regard as an election in "a neighboring country." (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) ( Ukraine )
Pro-Russia militants take part in the combat with Ukrainian troops at the international airport of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 26, 2014. Ukrainian combat helicopters hit the main terminal building at Donetsk airport in the rebel-held east on Monday in an offensive against gunmen who have seized the complex, an AFP correspondent said. AFP PHOTO/ ALEXANDER KHUDOTEPLY ( 530152756 )
A pro-Russian militant believed to have sustained wounds during combats between separatists and Ukrainian troops, walks in front of the hospital in Semyonovka village, not far from the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk, on May 25, 2014. A bitterly divided Ukraine voted Sunday in a presidential election seen as crucial to ending months of upheaval and bloodshed that has sent the country to the brink of civil war. VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images ( 530125505 )
A toy gun lies on between shards of glass from a damaged building, in a stark reminder that innocent people are being caught up in the latest troubles, following a shelling from Ukrainian government forces in Slovyansk, Ukraine, Monday, May 26, 2014. Exit polls from Sunday's first round of the new presidential election predict Petro Poroshenko will be elected president in this bitterly divided country, and he vowed "to bring peace to the Ukrainian land", yet he described the separatists as "Somali pirates" and authorities in Kiev launched strikes against the militants. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) ( Ukraine )
Alina, no second name available, a volunteer of the Ukrainian national guard, stands behind a fence at a base in Starobelsk, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. Ukraine's critical presidential election went underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in the country. An exit poll showed that billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko won election in the first round. (AP Photo/Alexander Ermochenko) ( Ukraine )
A pro-Russian gunman changes his position near the airport, outside Donetsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 26, 2014. Ukraine's military launched air strikes Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk in what appeared to be the most visible operation of the Ukrainian troops since they started a crackdown on insurgents last month. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( APTOPIX Ukraine )
A pro-Russia mlitant guards the check-point in Senyonovka village near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk on May 26, 2014. Ukraine's presidential election "largely upheld democratic commitments" and provided the new leader with the legitimacy needed to tackle the country's separatist insurgency, international observers said on Monday. VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images ( 530152784 )
Pro-Russian activists take part in a demonstration against the new Kiev government at Lenin square in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, on May 24, 2014. Ukraine was counting down today to a presidential election seen as crucial to its very survival after months of turmoil that has driven the country to the brink of civil war. FABIO BUCCIARELLI/AFP/Getty Images ( 530097706 )
Women hold placards displaying a crossed swastika during an anti-election rally by pro-Russian supporters in the northeast Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on May 25, 2014. Chocolate baron Petro Poroshenko claimed victory today in Ukraine's presidential election, vowing to bring peace after months of turmoil and a pro-Russian insurgency that thwarted voting across much of the separatist east. The 48-year-old self-made billionaire, who exit polls said had won almost 56 percent of the vote, swiftly declared that he would work to bring peace to Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / SERGEY BOBOKSERGEY BOBOK/AFP/Getty Images ( 530131951 )
A man holds a child's hand to receive empty bullet cartridges offered by a pro-Russian gunman in Lenin square in Donetsk, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. A convoy of an armored personnel carrier and seven trucks carrying several hundred heavily armed men drove through central Donetsk early Sunday afternoon and gunmen got out of the trucks, stood to attention and shot into the air in jubilation as a crowd of several thousand supporters cheered them and chanted: "Heroes!". Ukraine's critical presidential election got underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country rocked by a deadly uprising in the east. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
Pro-Russian gunmen fire automatic rifles in Lenin Square in Donetsk, Ukraine, Sunday, May 25, 2014. A convoy of an armored personnel carrier and seven trucks carrying several hundred heavily armed men drove through central Donetsk early Sunday afternoon and gunmen got out of the trucks, stood to attention and gave shots in the air in jubilation as a crowd of several thousand supporters cheered them and chanted: "Heroes!". Ukraine's critical presidential election got underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country rocked by a deadly uprising in the east. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) ( Ukraine )
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