Pro-Russian separatists shot down Ukrainian fighter jet MiG-29 over Luhansk city on Sunday.
The warplane was shot down as it carried out "an assignment to eliminate a large group of terrorists" in the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, revealed the Ukrainian military, according to The Guardian.
The pilot, who evacuated the jet, was found alive later after a search, Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksiy Dmytrashkivsky informed Reuters.
Luhansk has seen frequent fighting, with the rebels trying to push back the government troops, taking back the territory captured by the separatists.
Donetsk also witnessed heavy artillery and mortar shelling on Saturday, which led to the death of at least 10 civilians.
The troops have, however, partially taken over the captured areas and held the Luhansk terrorist group commander and 13 others captive, Ukrainian National Guard said.
"The terrorists are putting on ordinary clothes, taking only their passport with them and are trying to pass themselves off as ordinary peaceful citizens on public transport to try to get through the Ukrainian checkpoints. Among those seized is a field commander of the Luhansk terrorist group," local authorities pointed out.
