Time now for a look through the international headlines we're following this hour. Let's connect live to our Eunice Kim, standing by at the NewsCenter.
Eunice. Tensions are escalating in Ukraine... Ukraine's armed forces retook a small airport, as Kiev formally launches its "anti-terror" operation against pro-Russian forces.
That's right, Jinjoo. And Ukraine's military are said to be on their way to those flashpoints cities in eastern Ukraine... causing some to worry the country could be on its way to civil war.
Here's Connie Lee with more. Heavy gunfire...
and fighter jets... were heard and seen.... swooping over an airfield in east Ukraine.
Authorities say Ukrainian armed forces... retook a military airfield from pro-Russian forces on Tuesday--
It was the first, formal military action by Ukraine... against pro-Russian militants.
"The main purpose of these actions is to protect Ukrainian citizens, to stop terrorism, crime and the attempts to tear apart our country."
Witnesses say Ukrainian troops stepped out of military helicopters... in a heavy pro-Russian area of Kramatorsk... on Tuesday.
Despite gunfire, locals have not confirmed casualties as reported by Russian media.
Around the same time, a similar operation of Ukrainian army troops and special forces... were deployed in a nearby city of Slavyansk ... to take back control of government buildings there.
Russia says Ukraine is on the brink of a civil war... and has asked the United Nations to condemn Kiev's latest military operation.
However, the UN Secretary-General's press office said that... Ban Ki-moon spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday... and requested all parties calm the situation.
"The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the disturbances ongoing in eastern Ukraine. He has called on all parties to do their utmost to deescalate the situation and avoid further violence."
The U.S. also spoke out... saying Ukraine's government has a responsibility to respond to "provocations" in its country... but added Washington was not considering sending arms to Kiev.
Connie Lee, Arirang News.
