Shelling in rebel-held parts of east Ukraine killed at least 12 civilians as a top leader of pro-Russian rebels rejected Ukrainian legislation meant to end the unrest by granting self-rule to large swathes of the east.

Pro-Russia separatists sat down for preliminary Ukraine peace talks yesterday due to resume later this week in the Belarusian capital Minsk, saying they would be prepared to stay part of Ukraine if they were granted "special status".

Russia’s foreign minister has urged those holding a new round of talks on easing Ukraine’s crisis to push for a ceasefire between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian separatists.

The Interfax agency has said a Malaysian passenger jet carrying 295 people has crashed in Ukraine.