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Ukraine crisis: 'Shelling hits' rebel-held Donetsk | Ukraine crisis: 'Shelling hits' rebel-held Donetsk |
(35 minutes later) | |
Heavy shelling has been heard in the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk as a Russian convoy approaches the Ukrainian border. | Heavy shelling has been heard in the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk as a Russian convoy approaches the Ukrainian border. |
Initial reports say people poured out of offices in the centre of the city after an evacuation warning sounded. | Initial reports say people poured out of offices in the centre of the city after an evacuation warning sounded. |
Donetsk has been surrounded for several weeks by Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russian rebels. | Donetsk has been surrounded for several weeks by Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russian rebels. |
Meanwhile, more than 100 lorries carrying Russian aid are approaching a rebel-controlled border crossing. | Meanwhile, more than 100 lorries carrying Russian aid are approaching a rebel-controlled border crossing. |
There is continuing confusion over their final destination. | There is continuing confusion over their final destination. |
Russia has dismissed as absurd claims that its convoy is a pretext to send military supplies to the rebels. | Russia has dismissed as absurd claims that its convoy is a pretext to send military supplies to the rebels. |
The situation is reported to be desperate in the rebel-held city of Luhansk, where civilians have been short of water, food and electricity for more than a week. Phone lines are also down as shelling continues. | |
But Ukraine has said the Russian convoy must be inspected by international monitors before it can be let in. | |
Also on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Crimea where he has announced that he has approved a defence ministry plan to set up a "Russian military task force" in Crimea. But he says the task force will not be "excessive", Reuters reports. | |
Russia annexed the territory from Ukraine in March, in a move that drew international condemnation. | |
Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with the UN saying there has been a spike in the number of deaths. | |
Some 2,086 people have been killed since the conflict began in mid-April, and more than half of them died in the past two weeks, the UN said. | |
The violence began when pro-Russian rebels seized government buildings and tried to declare independence. | |
The military launched an operation to retake the east, and stepped up its activities in June. | |
Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine crisis' in the subject heading and including your contact details. |