Space station is set to close in 2020 after Russia announced it would refuse U.S. request to keep it open Decision could mark end of decades of international co-operation in space Announcement came as six Ukrainian soldiers were killed in east of country Separatists pictured smashing up gambling club with sledgehammers<\/p>\n
By Hugo Gye and Will Stewart <\/p>\n
Published: 11:08 EST, 13 May 2014 | Updated: 13:55 EST, 13 May 2014 <\/p>\n
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The International Space Station is set to be shut down by the end of the decade thanks to the breakdown in ties between the U.S. and Russia in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. <\/p>\n
The announcement came today as six Ukrainian soldiers were killed in an ambush by militants in the breakaway east of the country. <\/p>\n
At least 30 pro-Russian insurgents used grenade launchers and automatic weapons in the assault outside the town of Kramatorsk, which also left eight Ukrainian soldiers injured. <\/p>\n
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Russia kills off International Space Station over Ukraine sanctions - as six soldiers are killed in ambush by ...<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Space station is set to close in 2020 after Russia announced it would refuse U.S. Continue reading