Ukraine says fighter jet shot down by Russian missile

Kiev, Ukraine: Ukrainian forces say one of their fighter jets has been shot down by a Russian missile in combat against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. A brief statement posted Saturday on the Facebook page for the so-called operation against separatists said the Su-25 was hit on Friday, and that the pilot ejected and was uninjured. The statement said the plane was hit by a missile from a Russian launcher, but did not give more detail. [caption id=“attachment_1688341” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Volunteers take an oath of allegiance to Ukraine, before being sent to the eastern part of Ukraine to join the ranks of special battalion “Azov” fighting against pro-Russian separatists, in Kiev. AP[/caption] NATO estimates at least 1,000 Russian soldiers are in Ukraine and Ukraine claimed this week that Russian tanks and armored vehicles entered the country as rebels open a new front along the Azov Sea coast. Russia consistently denies both that its forces are in Ukraine and allegations that it is supplying the rebels. Associated Press