Ukraine rocket attack leads to mass jail breakout

By: 10 years ago

An Ukrainian fire fighter stands next to shell crater with destroyed buses on the background after shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. AP

Donetsk, Ukraine — Local authorities say more than 100 prisoners have fled from a high-security facility after it was hit by shelling in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine

City council spokesman Maxim Rovensky said Monday a jail riot was precipitated by a direct rocket hit that claimed the life of at least one inmate. Rovensky said the fugitives include people jailed for murder, robbery and rape.

Ukrainian government forces have over the past week intensified their push on Donetsk and have succeeded in surrounding it. Exchanges of rocket fire have become a daily feature of the fighting.

Rovensky said at least 10 homes, shops and garages were hit by overnight rocketing. He added that 20,000 people are living without electricity.