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Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

World

Donetsk Airport is Ruined After Weeks of Battle

Destroyed commercial airplanes sit scattered on the runway.

/ 16 PHOTOS
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

A separatist soldier walks through the wreckage of the destroyed Donetsk airport on Feb. 26. The airport has been a scene of many battles between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists.

Ukraine's military said on Feb. 26 it was starting the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline with pro-Russian rebels, a key step in a stuttering peace plan. The start of the withdrawal by Kiev comes after a shaky truce that was meant to come into force Feb. 15 finally took hold across the Ukraine conflict zone in recent days.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

Only a few sections of the exterior fence around the airport remain.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image: UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CRISIS

A separatist soldier walks past a damaged airplane.

— Vasily Maximov / AFP
Image: Armed men of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army are seen in the damaged Donetsk airport

Soldiers of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army stand near a damaged information desk.

— Baz Ratner / X02483
This photo taken on Monday, June 11, 2012, shows the airport in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. Battles for control over the airport on the northern edge of the main separatist stronghold of Donetsk intensified over the week with rebels taking control over the terminal, although fighting is continuing in nearby settlements. The airport, which was a major showcase of the Euro 2012 Championship hosted by Ukraine, has been reduced to a hulking wreck by months of intense fighting. (AP Photo/Irina Gorbaseva)

This photo taken June 11, 2012, shows the airport in Donetsk when Ukraine hosted the Union of European Football Associations Championship.

— Irina Gorbaseva / AP
Image: Ukrainian war prisoners are guarded by armed men of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army in the Donetsk airport, damaged by months of fighting

Ukrainian prisoners-of-war are lined up inside the airport.

— Baz Ratner / X02483
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

Ukrainian prisoners-of-war are forced by pro-Russian rebels to search through the wreckage for weapons and bodies.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image:

A dead Ukrainian soldier, retrieved from the rubble of the airport building, lies inside the destroyed terminal.

— Vadim Ghirda / AP
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

A sports bar sits in the middle of the wreckage.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

Destroyed commercial airplanes sit scattered on the runway.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

An empty jet bridge still stands despite the surrounding structures falling to the ground.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image:

A separatist fighter leans against a wall while guarding Ukrainian POWs.

— Vadim Ghirda / AP
Image: The bodies of Ukrainian soldiers are seen in the Donetsk airport

The bodies of Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded by rubble.

— Baz Ratner / X02483
Image: Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Takes Its Toll On Donetsk

A separatist soldier stands guard over Ukrainian soldier prisoners-of-war as they are forced to sift through the wreckage.

— Andrew Burton / Getty Images Europe
Image: UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CRISIS

Trees and bushes torched by fire surround airport buildings.

— Vasily Maximov / AFP
Image: A vehicle is seen in a car park, damaged by months of fighting, at the Donetsk airport

A damaged vehicle is surrounded by debris.

— Baz Ratner / X02483
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