Ukraine Civil War News Updates -- August 17, 2014

Ukraine Says Its Troops Make Breakthrough In Rebel Stronghold -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Ukrainian forces have raised their national flag over a police station in the city of Luhansk which was for months under rebel control, Kiev said on Sunday, in what could be a breakthrough in Ukraine's efforts to crush pro-Moscow separatists.



Ukrainian officials allege though that the rebels are fighting a desperate rearguard action to hold on to Luhansk -- which is their supply route into neighboring Russia -- and say the flow of weapons and fighters from Russia has accelerated.



The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia were preparing to meet for talks on the conflict in Berlin on Sunday, though it seemed likely that the diplomacy could be overshadowed by fast-moving developments on the battlefield.



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Ukraine Civil War News Updates -- August 17, 2014

Ukraine Says its Forces Regaining Control of Luhansk -- VOA

Ukraine Says Its Forces Advance on Rebel Stronghold -- Wall Street Journal

Ukraine Crisis: Troops Take Police Station In Separatist-Controlled Luhansk -- IBTimes

Ukraine Says Troops Entered Rebel-Held City -- AP

Kiev Continues Attacks on Six Cities in Southeastern Ukraine -- RIA Novosti

Ukraine rebels gearing up for counteroffensive -- Reuters

Russian Missile Launchers 'Cross Into Ukraine' -- SKY News

Ukrainian troops pictured beating man accused of being pro-Russian spy, as rebel commander claims armoured column with 1,200 fighters is heading to Donetsk -- Daily Mail



Ukraine separatists shoot down government MiG fighter jet in eastern Luhansk region as fresh missiles 'arrive from Moscow' -- Daily mail

Ukrainian fighter plane shot down by pro-Russia rebels -- The Guardian

MiG-29 plane shot down by Luhansk fighters -- ITAR-TASS

Ukraine says rebels shot down fighter jet -- Al Jazeera

Ukraine: Separatists shoot down fighter plane -- AP



In Lugansk, Donetsk shelling continues - authorities -- ITAR-TASS

Ten Civilians Killed in Donetsk in Last 24 Hours - City Council -- RIA Novosti

OSCE says situation in Donetsk is tense -- ITAR-TASS

In Shell-Torn Luhansk, Food and Water Is Scarce: 'Welcome to Hell!' -- Newsweek



First 16 Trucks With Russian Humanitarian Aid Reach Ukrainian Border -- RIA Novosti

Ukraine crisis: Russian aid convoy arrives at border -- BBC

First trucks with Russian aid for Ukraine come to border between countries -- ITAR-TASS

Ukraine officially recognizes Russian aid convoy as humanitarian -- RT



Ukraine's Foreign Minister Asks EU, NATO for Military Aid -- RIA Novosti

Ukrainian, Russian Foreign Ministers To Meet In Berlin -- Radio Free Europe

Russian FM confirms Lavrov’s participation in quadripartite meeting on Ukraine -- ITAR-TASS

Germany and France in urgent talks with Russia and Ukraine -- AFP

Ukraine Foreign Minister Calls on NATO, EU to Give Military Support -- Reuters

US Gives Kiev Carte Blanche to Any Action – Russian Lawmaker -- RIA Novosti