UKRAINIAN armed forces mounted a major onslaught against pro-Russian separatist fighters today in an attempt to gain control over key rebel stronghold Horlivka.

The National Security Council in Kiev said that government troops had encircled the city and that there had been fighting in other cities in the east.

Armed forces “have increased assaults on territory held by pro-Russian mercenaries, destroyed checkpoints and positions and moved very close to Horlivka,” it said in a statement.