UKRAINE’S anti-Kiev rebels said on Thursday that they had captured the shattered remains of the Donetsk airport.

The fighters said they plan to claw back more territory, dashing hopes for a lasting peace agreement.

The airport has been the focus of bitter battles since May.

Control had been split but a rebel flag was hoisted over the main building yesterday.

However, Kiev insisted government troops were holding their positions.

Deputy head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitoring mission Alexander Hug said rebel forces had carried out artillery attacks from within residential areas.

Donetsk rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said the offensive would continue until they recaptured all territory lost to government forces.

“Let our countrymen hear this: We will not just give up our land.

“We will either take it back peacefully or like that,” he said, nodding his head toward the explosions.