Ukraine continues battling for control of airport against rebel forces

DONETSK, Ukraine, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The battle for the strategic airport in Donetsk, Ukraine, has escalated between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed rebel forces.

A Ukrainian military spokesman said the airport was under government control on Sunday, but rebel military command launched a counteroffensive at a strategic bridge, which was destroyed in the fighting.

Ukraine has accused Russia of sending two battalions of soldiers as the battle continues.

All-out warfare could begin as both sides ignore a ceasefire established in September.

Rebel officials said at least eight soldiers were killed and 33 were injured since Sunday. Ukraine defense officials said three of its soldiers died and 66 were injured within a day.

The acquisition of the airport is mainly symbolic because, after months of fighting, the airport is no longer functional.

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.