World | Ukraine On Day 1 of Truce, Ukraine Helicopter Shot Down Troops given OK to shoot back after 9 killed By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jun 25, 2014 12:44 AM CDT Copied Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, background left, inspects a Ukrainian military base close to Slovyansk last week. (AP Photo/Mykhailo Markiv, Pool) The shaky ceasefire in Ukraine was thrown into peril yesterday when pro-Moscow separatists shot down a Ukrainian military helicopter, killing nine servicemen just a day after rebels agreed to respect a truce called by the Ukrainian government last Friday. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned he may end the weeklong truce ahead of time, while Russian President Vladimir Putin played the peacemaker, urging Ukraine to extend the truce and sit down for talks with the rebels. He also moved to rescind a parliamentary resolution authorizing him to use the Russian military in Ukraine. Poroshenko said in a statement that the insurgents had fired on Ukrainian positions 35 times since the ceasefire was announced, and he instructed Ukrainian soldiers to fire back "without hesitation" if attacked. "The president doesn't exclude that the ceasefire could be lifted ahead of time, taking into account its constant violation by the rebels controlled from abroad," his office said. Putin said that the Ukrainian demand that the insurgents lay down their weapons within a week was unrealistic, explaining that they would be reluctant to disarm for fear of government reprisals. He called for a longer truce to be accompanied by peace talks—and blamed Ukrainian forces for breaking the ceasefire by launching an airborne raid in Slovyansk. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Report an error