The Ukrainian Defense Ministry claims that Air Force planes and heavy artillery weapons are not involved in fighting in the city of Donetsk.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine are engaged in battles on the outskirts of Donetsk. Aviation and heavy artillery weapons are not being used in the fighting in the city in accordance with instructions issued by the president," the defense minister's adviser, Yuriy Povkh, told the Channel 5 television station.

Special operations units from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other services are acting in Donetsk, he said.