Hundreds of pro-Russian insurgents have reportedly attacked a border guard base near the city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
At least five rebels are believed to have been killed when the guards returned fire, according to authorities.
It’s been reported in several media sources that up to 500 insurgents took part in the attack on 70 Ukrainian border guards.
Ukrainian armed forces have said they sent aircraft to the area but had been unable to stop the assault.
Meanwhile in Luhansk an explosion inside the separatist-held Regional Administration building caused the death of at least seven people according to Ukrainian media.
The cause of the incident is unclear. Russian sources have said it was the result of a cluster bomb attack by pro-Kyiv forces. Ukrainians on the other have claimed it could have occurred as a result of “inept handling of small arms and explosives”.
