KIEV, July 15 (RIA Novosti) – Ukraine has halted military aviation flights in the east of the country until further notice after an An-26 military transport plane crashed in Luhansk Region Monday, the special operations' press service said Tuesday.
“In line with the investigation into the situation of a Ukrainian Air Force An-26 military transport aircraft crashing in the Luhansk region on July 14, flights by the anti-terrorist operation aviation have been suspended until further notice. Anti-terrorist operation aircraft have been grounded at their home base from July 14," the press center reported.
The search for six crewmembers from the An-26 is ongoing.
The An-26 was carrying seven crew members and one accompanying person, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council said.
Militia confirmed having downed the plane in the area surrounding Lisichanka, a city near the Russian border, using a Strela-1 missile system.
A spokesman for the Luhansk People’s Republic said militiamen have taken hostage several crew members. Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Spokesman Andriy Lysenko said he has no information on the hostages.
