UKRAINE’S Kiev government claimed yesterday that at least 15 pro-Russian rebels had been killed in clashes with its troops at a border crossing with Russia.

Interior Ministry aide Anton Herashchenko claimed that border guards had clashed with armed men who came from Russia in trucks and an infantry vehicle on Thursday and tried to cross the border at the village of Marynivka in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Herashenko said the attackers were supported by about 100 rebels who came from the Ukrainian side of the border. 

Five Ukrainian troops were injured and 15 rebels were killed and their bodies taken to a nearby town, he said.

Following the clash the Kiev government ordered the closure of parts of the Russian border, including the Marynivka crossing, calling it an attempt to prevent armed men from infiltrating its territory. 

But the Russian Foreign Ministry said it was “outraged” by the closure. The Kremlin maintains that none of its troops have crossed the border.

Meanwhile, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the Ukrainian army had deployed tanks against rebel positions in the outskirts of Sloviansk, citing sources within the command of the rebel forces.

It said a group of three or four tanks was manoeuvring in the town of Semenovka, which was also being subjected to mortar fire.

A short meeting took place in France between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kiev president-elect Petro Poroshenko during D-Day commemorations.

Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov said both men had “confirmed that there is no alternative to settling the situation by peaceful political means.”

But inside Russia pressure grew for Moscow to intervene in Ukraine.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation called for Moscow to recognise the Donetsk and the Lugansk People’s Republics and for the creation of a humanitarian corridor.

And it urged Moscow to use armed forces for the protection of civilians should Kiev escalate its actions.

However, the Ukrainian Communist Party is opposed to any break-up of Ukraine and outside interference.

It supports regional autonomy within a federal structure.