The Ukrainian government has vowed to continue fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east until ‘peace has been restored.’

Acting Defence Minister Mykhilo Koval accused Russia of carrying out “special operations” in the region.

As the crisis in Ukraine continues, newly elected president Petro Poroshenko will hold emergency talks with Barack Obama in Warsaw next week when both men attend events marking the anniversary of the end of Communist rule in Poland.

Three days of mourning is being held for the 12 soldiers who died when their helicopter was shot down near Sloviansk on Thursday.

Meanwhile another four OSCE monitors have been detained by rebel groups, adding to the four who went missing earlier in the week.