Shelling kills three in Ukraine

Three people have been killed and five wounded in overnight shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, according to officials.

The deaths were reported as government forces tightened their grip on the pro-Russian rebel stronghold.

Donetsk City Council said in a statement on its website that several residential buildings had been damaged in a neighbourhood about four miles from the city’s central square.

The council said the buildings were hit by shelling.

As the rebels struggle to push back Kiev’s forces, fears of Russian intervention have grown.

Western leaders have accused Russia of massing troops on the border with Ukraine, although Russia has denied claims about a military build-up.

In Kiev, meanwhile, demonstrators have confronted city workers who were attempting to clear a central square, lighting tyres on fire in protest over the city government's move.

Dark plumes of acrid smoke from burning rubber rose above Independence Square as workers guarded by armed men in camouflage dismantled some of the barricades surrounding the area.

The square and surrounding streets were the site of massive protests during the winter, which helped oust the country’s pro-Russian former president, Viktor Yanukovych, from power.

New president Petro Poroshenko was elected in May, but many have said they will remain on the square to ensure the new government follows through on promises of reform.

Kiev authorities have been negotiating with the protesters to clear the square since a new mayor was elected in May, but have met strong resistance from the several hundred demonstrators still camped out on the square.