Fighting intensifies as Ukrainian military takes control of Donetsk airport

DONETSK, Ukraine, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Government forces have escalated operations in the Ukranian city of Donetsk against Russian-endorsed rebels.

Ukranian forces have taken control of much of the contested airport and its surrounding areas, according to military spokesman Andriy Lysenko. The airport is no longer functional, but is symbolic.

"We succeeded in almost completely cleaning the territory of the airport, which belongs to the territory of Ukrainian forces as marked by military separation lines," Lysenko said.

#Ukraine's military reclaim most of #Donetsk airport after a massive overnight op — @BBCWorld http://t.co/Bptc9W1mqE pic.twitter.com/5p5KocYMPx

— Silver Surfer (@RobPulseNews) January 18, 2015

Donetsk rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said the Ukrainian military bombarded the city of Horlivka on Sunday. More than 30 people have been killed or injured, he said.

The military troops fighting the rebels "demonstrated their courage, patriotism, heroism, as a model for how our country must be defended," according to Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko.

"We will not give away one scrap of Ukrainian land," Poroshenko said to a crowd gathered in Kiev to pay tribute after a civilian bus was hit by a shell, killing 13.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed Russia's concern by the "escalation of hostilities." Stating that the ongoing attacks by both sides undermine a previous ceasefire.