A sniper fired a single shot into the fuel tank of a helicopter in eastern Ukraine, causing a massive explosion and severely injuring the commander, authorities said Friday.
The Mi-8 military helicopter was hit by gunfire while standing on the ground at a small airfield near Kramatorsk town, according to Vasyl Krutov, head of the government's Anti-Terrorism Centre.
Witnesses said at least four huge explosions were heard near the airfield, Xinhua reported.
Kramatorsk is controlled by pro-Russian protestors who have seized government buildings, demanding a referendum on autonomy and closer ties with Moscow.