Nine Ukrainian military personnel were killed Tuesday as their helicopter was shot down by suspected pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine, Russia TV reported.
The Mi-8 helicopter was carrying military cargo which it was downed at Karachun Mountain near Slaviansk region by a portable air defense system missile this afternoon, the TV added.
The nine military personnel on board were killed in the attack, it said, citing military sources in east Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko threatened to cancel the ceasefire, announced by Kiev two days ago, in the wake of the downing of the plane.
During a meeting with the heads of the country's security agencies the President ordered the military forces in the southeastern regions to respond to any hostile fire, according to the president's press service said.
On their part, the authorities of the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk said the ceasefire which Porosheko now wants to cancel "was never in place."