The battle for Donetsk airport
A Ukrainian soldier patrols inside the Donetsk airport. It has been the scene of fierce fighting between government troops and pro-Russia separatists since May. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
A Ukrainian soldier carries grenade launchers brought by a supply convoy. The delivery sparked a shootout with pro-Russia separatists. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Ukrainian army Maj. Valery Rud fights pro-Russia separatists inside the airport. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
A soldier takes a nap during a break in the fighting. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Fighters from the pro-government Right Sector militia provoke an enemy sniper. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Troops cook a meal. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Only three floors remain in the blackened skeleton of the terminal. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
A Ukraine soldier takes a smoking break in the fighting with pro-Russia separatists inside Donetsk airport last week. The airport has been the scene of fierce fighting between the government troops and pro-Russia separatists since last May. (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Troops have a meal at the airport. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
A Ukrainian soldiers takes part in a shootout with pro-Russia separatists on the road to the Donetsk airport. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
A soldier enjoys a break in the fighting at the airport. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Government forces discuss an operation to deliver supplies and ammo to the Donetsk airport. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
Maj. Rud stands in front of a separatist artillery round that flew into the airport but did not explode. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
A parking lot and the control tower as seen from a terminal at the airport. (Sergei Loiko / Los Angeles Times)
The new airport on May 14, 2012. (AFP/Getty Images)