In pictures: Tensions rise in Ukraine's east
- Published
Ukrainian troops moved towards the centre of Kramatorsk after securing an airbase on the outskirts of the town on Tuesday - but they were soon stopped in their tracks
BBC journalists witnessed crowds of people, at least some of whom appeared to be local residents, challenging the Ukrainian soldiers a few kilometres outside the town
Olga Ivshina from the BBC's Russian Service was in Kramatorsk and said many angry locals were accusing the Ukrainian troops of "acting against their own people"
A Ukrainian fighter jet flew low over one of the convoys that had been forced to stop. Some of the soldiers told locals: "We didn't come here to fight"
Armoured vehicles flying a Russian flag were seen in Kramatorsk amid reports that some Ukrainian troops may have abandoned their vehicles or even changed sides
Crowds of pro-Russians gathered in Sloviansk as some of the armoured vehicles reportedly seized from Ukrainian troops arrived in the city
Masked gunmen pushed a photojournalist away from the armoured vehicles as residents of Sloviansk presented flowers to the pro-Russian force
A Ukrainian fighter jet circled over Sloviansk on Wednesday in a show of military might but there was no sign of Ukrainian troops inside the city
Meanwhile in Donetsk, members of the Oplot group, who supported ousted former President Viktor Yanukovych, met no resistance as they took over the mayor's office
The group set up barricades around the city council building and demanded that authorities in Kiev grant a referendum on the region's future