In mid-April 2014 pro-Russian separatists captured several towns in Donetsk Oblast , including Chystyakove in June 2014 . On 23 May 2014 a pro-Ukrainian militia endorsed by Oleh Lyashko had killed one pro-Russian separatist and left another badly wounded amidst a separatists takeover of city hall . On July 17 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 , en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam , was hit by a missile and crashed near Torez ; all 298 people aboard were killed
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Torez