Ukraine crisis: Russia accused of 'lies and blackmail'

Russian special agents are behind the seizure of government buildings in eastern Ukraine, the deputy foreign minister has said.

Speaking after a deadline for pro-Russian activists to leave was largely ignored, Danylo Lubkivsky accused Russia of "lies, blackmail and absolute politics".

Mr Lubkivsky said Ukraine's special forces were undertaking an operation to remove the protesters, but were doing so in a way which would avoid casualties and bloodshed.