Conflict intensifies as Russian tanks obliterate village

HOWARD AMOS

The Russian-backed offensive in Ukraine appeared to be gathering pace last night as Russian tanks were reported to have "shelled every house" in a border village and Kremlin forces were reported to have shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet with a surface-to-air missile.

Ukraine said the conflict in its east was intensifying, with thousands of foreign troops and hundreds of tanks aiding separatist fighters, as the country appealed to Europe to impose further sanctions on Russia.