'Russians' among rebels advancing in east Ukraine

Separatists, backed by Russian soldiers, have entered the town of Novoazovsk in south-eastern Ukraine, a pro-government militia fighter said on Thursday.

Separatists, backed by Russian soldiers, have captured the town of Novoazovsk in south-eastern Ukraine, agency reports said on Thursday

"There is military equipment in Novoazovsk which came across the border two days ago from Russia," a pro-Ukrainian government militia fighter told Reuters by telephone.

"The equipment is carrying the flags of the DNR (Donetsk People's Republic) rebels but they are regular Russian forces," the fighter who did not wish to be identified by name, he said.

The BBC meanwhile quoted a pro-Russian rebel leader in eastern Ukraine has saying that 3-4,000 Russian citizens were fighting in their ranks.

Alexander Zakharchenko told Russian TV many of the Russians were former service people or current personnel on leave, the BBC reported.

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