MOSCOW expressed fears yesterday that the Ukrainian government is preparing a provocation in the east of the country, which would be used to launch a major offensive operation against anti-fascist forces there.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Ukrainian military has amassed troops in eastern areas that are under Kiev’s control, citing reports from international monitors.

Moscow believes this development to be a sign of a looming escalation between the Ukrainian government and rebel forces, she added.

“There are reports that, within several days, Kiev will stage an armed provocation on the contact line,” Ms Zakharova said, referring to the Donbass people’s republics that reject Kiev’s rule.

She added that martial law, imposed by the government in the east last month, will allow for the mounting of a “lightning offensive from the direction of Mariupol aimed at capturing territories on the Azov Sea coast up to Russia’s border.”