Ukrainian pilot on trial in Russia ends hunger strike

MOSCOW (AP) — A Ukrainian pilot on trial in Russia says she has agreed to take water but will continue a hunger strike following an appeal by Ukraine's president.

Nadezhda Savchenko, who served in a volunteer battalion against Russia-backed separatists and is accused of involvement in the deaths of two Russian journalists there, went on hunger strike and refused to take water after a court hearing on Friday. Rights advocates were concerned that Savchenko could die if she kept refusing water.

Mark Feygin, a lawyer for Savchenko, on Thursday posted her letter saying that she will take water but keep up the hunger strike. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday pledged to do "all it takes" to exchange Savchenko for any Russian prisoner and bring her home.