Ukraine's president-elect promised yesterday to negotiate an end to the pro-Russia revolt in the east, saying he was willing to begin talks with Moscow.

Russia quickly welcomed Petro Poroshenko’s offer for talks, saying that it raised hopes that his election might ease the protracted crisis.

But as he was speaking, the Kiev government launched an air strike on pro-Russian activists who had occupied the Donetsk airport.

Sustained artillery and gun fire was heard from the airport.

Fighter jets and military helicopters were seen flying overhead and dense black smoke rose in the air.

Journalists saw several vehicles full of dozens of heavily armed men arriving in the area adjacent to the airport.

Half an hour later, several flatbed trucks full of reinforcements went in to the premises.

Kiev spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said that the military had given an ultimatum to the armed men who had occupied the airport to lay down their arms.

He said that the gunmen had not complied and the military had therefore launched an air strike.

Separatist leader Denis Pushilin said that they had sent their men to the airport after some of their supporters had been detained.

Many flights to or from Donetsk were delayed or cancelled and access to the airport was blocked by police.

In Kiev, international observers claimed that the presidential vote which had elected the oligarch as president had been “genuine.”

On claiming victory in Sunday’s vote, Mr Poroshenko said that his first step as president would be to visit the Donbass region.

“Peace in the country and peace in the east is my main priority,” Mr Poroshenko claimed, signalling that he could move to bring to an end the Ukrainian army’s much criticised campaign to drive outarmed pro-Russia separatists.

But instead, it appeared that his first act had been to order an air strike.

The president-elect had harsh words for the pro-Russian activists, comparing them to Somalian pirates.

“Their goal is to turn Donbass into a Somalia where they would rule with the power of machine guns.

“I will never allow that to happen,” Mr Poroshenko said.