epa04433888 An armored military vehicle drives on a road close to destroyed building after fighting between militants and Ukrainian forces in June near of Slaviansk, Ukraine, 05 October 2014. Twelve separatist rebels were killed trying to capture the airport in their stronghold of Donetsk, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reported 04 October citing the National Security Council in Kiev. Ukrainian troops fought off the assaults on the biggest airport in eastern Ukraine, council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said. He added that two government soldiers were killed in the fighting in the past 24 hours. The airport is a strategic prize that has been the subject of fighting for days, despite a ceasefire that took effect between the pro-Russian rebels and the government on September 5. EPA/KONSTANTIN GRISHIN