The bodies of pro-Russian gunmen killed in clashes with Ukrainian government forces around the airport are piled up at a city morgue in Donetsk, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 27, 2014. The eastern city of Donetsk was in turmoil Tuesday a day after government forces used fighter jets to stop pro-Russia separatists from taking over the airport. Dozens were reported killed and the mayor went on television to urge residents to stay indoors. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
May 27, 2014 - 11:37 PM
DONETSK, Ukraine - Chechnya's regional leader says he hasn't sent any troops to fight alongside pro-Russia insurgents in eastern Ukraine, but he says some Chechens may have gone there on their own.
In a statement posted Wednesday on his Instagram, Ramzan Kadyrov said two-thirds of three million Chechens live outside the province in Russia's North Caucasus mountains, so he "can't and mustn't know where each of them goes."
Fighters who looked like residents of the Caucasus were seen among pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine, where they have seized government buildings and fought with Ukrainian forces. Moscow has denied it was fomenting the unrest.
In the most ferocious battle yet, rebels in Donetsk tried to take control of its airport Monday, but were repelled by Ukrainian forces using combat jets and helicopter gunships.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014