Report: UN envoy held at gunpoint in Crimea

The Ukraine Ministry has claimed that the UN envoy in Crimea has been detained by gunmen.

The report from AFP said that the secretary general's special representative, Robert Serry, had been seized by armed men.

An ITV News journalist, James Mates, tweeted that Serry asked the press to stay near him.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Serry had agreed to return to the airport and police forced through an angry crowd to retrieve him.

UN special envoy Robert Serry with me in coffee shop. Outside local militia block the door. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/pbotNqCG3i

— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014

View of militia from inside coffee shop where UN envoy Robert Serry is blockaded inside pic.twitter.com/ojbAruMzyW

— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014

Robert Serry finally on his way to the airport, police having forced a way through an angry crowd. #crimea

— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014

Around a dozen people have been injured, after pro-Russian protesters recaptured a government building in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine.

Talks aimed at ending the crisis have been taking place in Paris, with the US pressing Russia to hold talks with the new government in Ukraine.

The US has also warned Russia that its G8 membership is at risk.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland is disputing Russia's claims that the troops stations in Crimea are not under its command.

Sergii Reva says the claims are "simply incredible".