DHAKA: Kiev on Monday accused pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine of killing ‘many’ civilians trying to leave a conflict-torn area by shelling them with equipment provided by Moscow.

‘Militants shot at a convoy of civilians trying to flee the conflict area not far from Lugansk... using Grad rocket launchers and mortar guns given by Russia,’ said security spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

‘Many people died, including women and children,’ the spokesperson added, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1648 HRS, AUG 18, 2014