Tensions continue to rise within the Ukraine following the destruction of a Ukrainian transport plane, killing everyone on board.

The Il-76 transport plane was carrying 40 paratroopers to the city of Luhansk when it was shot down by pro-Russian separatists as the plane prepared to land. According to The New York Times, the plane was shot down with a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft rocket. The 40 paratroopers and nine crewmembers died in the crash.

The transport plane was flying troops being rotated into Eastern Ukraine and was carrying military equipment and food. The New York Times cited a Ukrainian website that provides more information on military news than the Ukrainian government, saying that Ukrainian soldiers found launch tubes at the site of the crash. The projectiles were identified as Iglas, a Russian-made anti-aircraft rockets, and separatists said they obtained the missiles from Ukrainian bases.

According to the Kyiv Post, politicians and international officials expressed their emotions on the tragedy. Ukrainian government officials and representatives called for more sanctions on Russia. President Poroshenko, who had previously stated his intentions to seek peace in the region, was upset at the news coming from the east.

"I will make Sunday the mourning day for our military men. This is a great loss not just for the families of the dead but the whole country. Ukraine is in sorrow, but we decisively continue to fight for peace," Poroshenko said in a statement. "All those involved in the cynical terrorist act of such a magnitude will inevitably be punished. Ukraine needs peace. But the terrorists will get an adequate response."

This has been the bloodiest episode in Ukraine's internal conflict between the government and separatists. In the last couple of weeks, violence has escalated since separatists shot down a transport helicopter in late May. The New Times York reported that Ukraine's prosecutor general's office will open an investigation into the matter and has called it a terrorist attack. Separatists part of the People's Republic of Luhansk assumed responsibility for the attack.