Kiev: Ukraine's defence ministry said on Wednesday that pro-Russian militants had taken two of its soldiers "hostage" in the separatist eastern region of Lugansk.
The ministry said an officer and a soldier were seized by "extremists" on Tuesday and taken to an unknown destination after they pulled over to repair their vehicle.
It said several branches of Ukraine's armed forces were involved in a search for the missing soldiers, and vowed a "firm response" against those who attack Ukrainian troops.
Ukraine on Tuesday launched what it called a "full-scale anti-terrorist operation" designed to flush out pro-Kremlin protesters and gunmen from state buildings across nearly 10 towns and cities in the heavily Russified east of the ex-Soviet state.
The Western-backed authorities in Kiev accuse Russia of coordinating the raids in an effort to destabilise the region in preparation for an invasion that could result in Moscow annexing more Ukrainian territory following its absorption of Crimea last month.
Ukraine's security service said on Wednesday it had intercepted communications showing that Russian commanders in the separatist east had issued pro-Kremlin militants with "shoot-to-kill" orders.
The intercepted communications "show that sabotage operations in the east of Ukraine are being openly led by regular officers from the Russian military intelligence, who have issued cynical shoot-to-kill orders against Ukrainian soldiers," the Ukrainian Security Service said in a statement.
Kiev television later played what it said was an intercepted conversation between two Russian commanders in eastern Ukraine who appeared to be discussing ways to ensure that separatist gunmen open fire against federal soldiers if they are attacked.
The ministry said an officer and a soldier were seized by "extremists" on Tuesday and taken to an unknown destination after they pulled over to repair their vehicle.
It said several branches of Ukraine's armed forces were involved in a search for the missing soldiers, and vowed a "firm response" against those who attack Ukrainian troops.
The Western-backed authorities in Kiev accuse Russia of coordinating the raids in an effort to destabilise the region in preparation for an invasion that could result in Moscow annexing more Ukrainian territory following its absorption of Crimea last month.
Advertisement
The intercepted communications "show that sabotage operations in the east of Ukraine are being openly led by regular officers from the Russian military intelligence, who have issued cynical shoot-to-kill orders against Ukrainian soldiers," the Ukrainian Security Service said in a statement.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region "Guilty Of High Treason": Russia Jails US-Origin Ballet Dancer For 12 Years US Welcomes India's Engagement In War Between Russia, Ukraine Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death Two Sisters Returning From Court Run Over By Car In UP: Cops India Sends 1,400 kg Anti-Cancer Drugs To Syria In Humanitarian Assistance Police Arrest Suspect In Bihar Dalit Girl Kidnapping, Murder Case Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.