Ukraine Civil War News Updates -- August 14, 2014

Shells Hit Central Donetsk, Russian Aid Convoy Heads Towards Border -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Artillery shells hit close to the centre of Ukraine's separatist-held city of Donetsk for the first time on Thursday, killing at least one person, as a large Russian aid convoy rumbled towards the border.

With Ukrainian government forces tightening the noose on pro-Russian separatists, shelling rocked Donetsk, sending frightened residents rushing for cover, witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear if the artillery was fired by government or rebel forces.

Two shells landed 200 metres (660 feet) from the Park Inn Radisson, one of the city's main hotels, shattering windows. The blasts opened up a yawning hole on the third floor of an apartment block and left a broad crater on the pavement.

Nearby, a body covered by a sheet lay stretched out on the blood-stained ground.

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Ukraine Civil War News Updates -- August 14, 2014

Crisis in Ukraine: Live -- BBC

Ukraine crisis: Shells hit Donetsk amid Russia convoy row -- BBC
Heavy shelling hits centre of rebel-held Donetsk -- France 24/AFP
3 days in Donetsk: 70+ civilians killed, over 100 wounded -- RT
Ukranian forces shell rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk -- Euronews
Donetsk rocked by heavy shelling -- Al Jazeera
Ukraine fighting: Rebel official resigns; shells fall on Donetsk -- CNN
Bombs fall in centre of Donetsk -- Financial Times
Under artillery fire, Ukraine rebels switch their leaders -- Reuters
Luhansk Separatist Leader Announces Resignation -- Moscow Times
Head of self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic resigns -- ITAR-TASS
Ukraine crisis: Rebel military chief Strelkov 'quits' -- BBC
Donetsk People’s Republic dismisses defense minister -- ITAR-TASS
Ukraine conflict: Under siege in Luhansk -- BBC
Fifteen killed by shell explosion in Donetsk town of Zugres -- Kyiv Post

Ukraine retakes eastern town, can block Russian aid convoy -- AP
Russia Convoy Stops Near Ukraine Border -- Voice of America
Russian convoy stops close to Ukraine border -- The Guardian
Russian aid convoy for Ukraine takes turn for the confrontational -- L.A. Times
Russia says talking to Ukraine about sending aid convoy to east Ukraine -- Reuters
Putin's Freshly Painted 'Humanitarian Aid' Convoy Nears Ukraine -- Daily Beast
Moscow, Kiev inch closer to confrontation as Russian aid convoy heads for rebel areas -- Washington Post

Russia calls for ceasefire in Ukraine to ensure security of aid convoy -- ITAR-TASS
Russia Calls for Ceasefire in East Ukraine to Facilitate Humanitarian Effort -- RIA Novosti

Ukraine in bloody chaos — Putin -- ITAR-TASS
Putin says Russia will do its utmost to stop bloodshed in Ukraine -- Reuters
Putin sounds conciliatory note on visit to annexed Ukraine region -- Reuters

Ukraine dispatches essentials to eastern provinces -- ITAR-TASS
Ukraine approves law on sanctions against Russia -- Reuters
In the line of fire: Journalists killed and abducted in Eastern Ukraine -- RT