Ukraine crisis

DONETSK, Ukraine - The Ukrainian government troops clashed with armed activists at the airport in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk on Monday, one day after a presidential election was held in the country.

Smokes billowed after fighter jets were seen flying over and explosions were heard, Xinhua correspondents said.

Armed activists in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions established the "people's republic" in early April and an overwhelming majority of voters favored their regions' independence at referendums on May 11.

Kiev has rejected the referendums as illegal and launched "anti-terrorist operation" in the regions.