Army troops have penetrated deep inside a rebel-controlled city in eastern Ukraine in what could prove a breakthrough development in the four-month-long conflict, the Ukrainian government said on Aug. 17.
However, the military acknowledged that a fighter plane was shot down by the separatists, who have been bullish about their ability to continue the battle and have bragged about receiving support from Russia. A column of several dozen heavy vehicles, including tanks and at least one rocket launcher, was spotted rolling through rebel-held territory on Aug. 17.
