Ukraine elected a new president over the weekend; yet, separatist forces, which include rising numbers of Russians, continue fighting government troops, increasing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Although the latter continues to deny involvement and has said it will work with Ukraine's president-elect, he wants to regain control of the east Ukraine.

Violence reached a peak on Thursday morning when a Ukrainian helicopter was shot down near Slovyansk. According to the New York Times, the military aircraft crashed after being shot down by a Russian-made surface to air missile, announced the outgoing Ukrainian president. Fourteen people, including one general, died when the helicopter fell from the sky.

The Times reports that an increasing number of Russians are fighting for the separatists. This became apparent in the fight for Donetsk's airport. Soon after the presidential election, pro-Russian forces took Donetsk International Airport, according to CNN. Fighting engulfed the area for the next couple of days and on Wednesday the Ukrainian government claimed victory over the separatists.

CNN reports that as early as late Tuesday Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has claimed the "Airport in Donetsk is fully under our control" on the ministry's website. Although numbers vary between 35 to 40 rebels were killed with at least 31 wounded. A spokeswoman for the Donetsk People's Republic stated that 35 separatists had been killed and that 60 were wounded. Of the 31 wounded announced by Donetsk's mayor, four were civilians.

Amidst the violence there is also confusion. Separatists believe the Kiev offered them a truce if they left Donetsk; however, the Ukrainian government told CNN it had made no such truce. The only offer standing is amnesty for any separatist who hands in their weapon and turns themselves in, unless he or she committed murder.

Ukraine has stepped up its counterattack by using airpower against the rebels, who in turn have begun using anti-aircraft weapons. This could explain why the Ukrainian helicopter was shot down Thursday morning. Although Ukrainian aircraft have been shot down before, nothing has been like the attack that happened on May 29.

The Times reports that among those found either wounded or dead following the takeover of Donetsk's airport, there were many Russian citizens. Although it had been rumored before, Donetsk's mayor confirmed the Russian presence when he said eight people with Russian passports were among the wounded.

Petro Poroshenko, following his election, said he would crush the separatist forces that took over government forces in the eastern part of the nation.