WASHINGTON moved closer to military intervention in Ukraine today when President Barack Obama’s nomination to run the Pentagon said that he is inclined to back increased US aid to Kiev’s forces, including lethal weapons.

Ashton Carter said at his confirmation hearing that he leans toward advocating sending arms to Ukraine.

Mr Obama is currently reconsidering his opposition to giving Kiev defensive weapons and other lethal aid to help subdue anti-fascist rebels in the eastern part of the country.

This possible escalation has had strong support from many in Mr Obama’s national security team.

Mr Carter made the comment under questioning by warmongering senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate armed services committee.

As the US Senate committee met, heavy shelling the rebel stronghold of Donetsk killed at least five people and damaged a hospital, six schools and five nursery schools.

The rebel-run Donetsk News Agency reported five killed inside and near the hospital in Tekstilshchik district.

“There were six or seven explosions,” said Vladimir Oryol, who witnessed the attack.

“We were standing outside a nightclub, we fell on the ground, people were screaming. In fact, it was very scary and horrible.”

Donetsk People’s Republic official Eduard Basurin said that four civilians had been killed in recent days before today’s shelling.

There have been several calls for a truce in eastern Ukraine in the past week but the last round of talks between Kiev, the anti-fascist resistance, Russia and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe collapsed on Saturday.