The $400 million Donetsk Airport now lies in ruins after months of battles between Ukrainian forces and separatists vying for its control, a video flyby confirms.

On Friday, separatist in Donetsk claimed they had taken control of the entire airport that has become a symbol for the struggle for control in the country's east.
Ukrainian authorities were quick to deny the report.

Drone footage taken on Thursday gives an aerial view of the scale of the destruction at the airport that has been at the center of a tug-of-war between Ukrainian forces and separatist militia since May.

The airport, a key strategic location just outside the separatist stronghold of Donetsk, has seen numerous fierce battles between the two sides.

The video was taken from an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft by a member of Army SOS, a citizen collective that raises funds for the Ukrainian military.