Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko raised the alarm today over what he claimed was a steadily worsening situation in the east of the country.

He claimed that anti-fascist resistance fighters were moving closer to government forces, despite the ceasefire agreed in September between the pro-Russian rebels and the Kiev government.

Government adviser Zoryan Shkiryak said that he feared an impending attack by Russian forces.

And Mr Lysenko accused the Russian army of directly supplying separatist forces and of massing troops, including air defence units, near the border.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich denied the Ukrainian charges, declaring: "There have been no military movements across the border nor, moreover, any presence of our troops in the south-east of Ukraine."

Mr Lysenko insisted that hostilities have surged in Lugansk, saying Kiev positions in the area had come under heavy attack.