DHAKA: A Ukrainian military transport aircraft has been shot down in the east, amid fighting with separatist rebels.

Ukrainian officials say, reports the BBC.

The An-26 plane was hit at an altitude of 6,500m, a statement on the presidential website said.

It said the plane had been targeted with ‘a more powerful missile weapon’ than a shoulder-carried missile, probably fired from Russia.

Russia has not commented on the claim. The crew survived.

It was not immediately known if there were any other people on board the aircraft. Rebel forces earlier said they had targeted the aircraft.

The crew members of the downed plane had already contacted the Ukrainian military, and a search-and-rescue operation was now under way, the statement said.

This comes as the Ukrainian air force said it had delivered ‘five powerful air strikes’ on targets in the eastern Luhansk region in a bid to end a rebel blockade of a strategic airport there.

BDST: 2128 HRS, JUL 14, 2014