Rebels shoot down two Ukraine warplanes; Western world wants stricter military sanctions against Russia
Anti government rebels claim that they have downed two more SU-25 Ukrainian warplanes in the country's eastern region just six days after the Malaysian passenger jet MH17 was shot down.
Ukraine has lost a sizeable number of its already beleaguered airforce since hostilities began mid April.
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told Interfax news agency that the planes were hit by anti aircraft missiles and the pilots ejected. Lysenko added that the planes were flying at a height of 5,200 meters (over 17,000 feet).
The Kiev government has been accusing Russia of supplying the rebels with anti aircraft missiles capable of powerful ranges. Russia strongly denies all allegations.
In an interview with Reuters, Alexander Khodakovsky , a rebel commander, confirmed that the rebels did have possession of the BUK missile system, which was probably used to bring down the MH17, but said that Ukraine was responsible for provoking such a situation .
IHS Jane's, an information group that covers the defense industry, says that Ukraine's airforce fleet is old and depleted "Estimates of how many of Ukraine's remaining aircraft are actually in operational service, however, range from around half to less than a quarter," the Christian Science monitor reports citing IHS Jane's.
Economic Sanctions and Arms Deals
The rebels, on the contrary, seem to be well supplied in the arms department, which is driving experts to question the source of their supply.
Western intelligence officers claim that weapon movement over the Ukraine-Russia border has seen an upswing in recent months, according to the Financial Times.
"There is a stealth war being waged. Russia is covertly arming the rebels en masse to specifically make these ambiguous attacks possible. And it is accelerating," intelligence officials, who wished to speak on terms of anonymity, told the publication.
In this scenario calling for an arms embargo against Russia makes sense. European countries are asking for stricter economic sanctions. But getting all 28 EU members to the table can be difficult. Several other factors have to be considered too. Natural gas lines from Russia running through Ukraine supply power to many European countries and some have lucrative military and economic deals with them.
France has a 1.62 billion contract for two warships. French President François Hollande said the agreement to supply Russia with the two Mistral warships is still in place but added that the delivery of the second Mistral ship would "depend on Russia's attitude."
