Pro-Russian militia continue to lay siege to symbols of the Ukrainian state by wrecking a police station in Horlivka, near Donetsk.

The latest attack comes after Ukraine’s interim President, Olexandr Turchynov, issued an ultimatum to pro-Russian supporters to disarm and leave government property or face an anti-terrorism operation.

The pro-Moscow supporters have ignored the demand and the Kremlin has vowed to protect Russian interests in Ukraine.

Tension is high in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The groups who have taken control of the buildings in the east are demanding local referendums to rejoin Russia or at least obtain increased local autonomy.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of covert aggression against Ukraine, which is now open aggression.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has denied allegations that Russian agents had been sowing the seeds of separatism in the east.

Ukraine claims it has proof that Russia is behind a programme of agitation in the two regions.