DHAKA: Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists were locked in a fierce battle in the rebellious east of the country on Thursday.

Ukrainian military sources said, reports The Straits Times.

The sources said there were reports that tanks had been deployed by both sides but this could not immediately be confirmed.

One military source said heavy fighting broke out at around 4:00am (local time) near the town of Krasny Liman, which has been under government control since early this month, and that separatists in the area appeared to have tried to break through a cordon of government troops.

‘There’s a major battle going on which exceeds in terms of force and scale anything there has been up to now,’ the military source said.

BDST: 1520 HRS, JUNE 19, 2014