Ukrainian troops have entered the eastern town of Kramatorsk a day after an operation began to recapture areas seized by anti-government separatists.
However, they were blocked by civilians and it is unclear whether they have any control of the town.
abyssal plain animals - In the regional capital, Donetsk, pro-Russian gunmen took control of the mayor's office.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has warned Russia wants to build a new "Berlin Wall".
In a televised address he demanded that Russia "stop supporting terrorists in Ukraine".
Ukrainian forces recaptured an airfield outside Kramatorsk on Tuesday and armoured vehicles were seen in the centre of the town early on Wednesday.
Video later emerged of armoured personnel carriers, flying Russian flags, which were said to be travelling in the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk area.
In Donetsk, where activists have been occupying the regional government building since 6 April, gunmen met no resistance as they entered the mayor's office.
They told an AFP correspondent their only demand was for the region to stage a referendum on turning Ukraine into a federation with broader local rights.
'Civil war'
Russia's President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine was "on the verge of civil war" in a phone call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after acting President Olexander Turchynov announced the start of the operation to reclaim territory.
Russian officials said both leaders "emphasised the importance" during the conversation of planned four-way talks on Thursday between senior diplomats from Russia, the EU, the US and Ukraine.
However, Ukrainian and Western officials have accused Russia of being behind the pro-Russia activism in the region. Moscow strongly denies fomenting the unrest.
Ukrainian counter-terrorism chief Gen Vasyl Krutov, speaking to reporters at Kramatorsk airfield late on Tuesday, emphasised that armed individuals had crossed the border into Ukraine.
"We have to deal with a very serious, highly skilled and very professional opponent," he said according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
"They display a very high level of preparedness, tactical and practical skill. These people must have been to hot spots across the world and on their own territory."
Last month's annexation of Crimea by Moscow was preceded by the presence of uniformed, armed men believed to be Russian troops, although in greater numbers than the similarly dressed and equipped men who have been seen in eastern Ukraine, correspondents say.
The Kremlin has condemned the Ukrainian military operation in eastern Ukraine as an "anti-constitutional course to use force against peaceful protest actions".
Buildings seized
Tensions have mounted in recent days after pro-Russian rebels seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across eastern Ukraine.
They are demanding greater autonomy or referendums on secession from Ukraine.
Speaking in London, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said Russia had sent in "thinly disguised" armed groups to spearhead the occupation of buildings.
Moscow, he said, faced "serious long-term consequences" if it continued to destabilise Ukraine.
Russia took control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea last month, after it held a controversial referendum on self-determination.
The US has said it is "seriously considering" adding to sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea.
The White House has described Ukraine's military operation as a "measured" response to a lawless insurgency.
However, they were blocked by civilians and it is unclear whether they have any control of the town.
abyssal plain animals - In the regional capital, Donetsk, pro-Russian gunmen took control of the mayor's office.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has warned Russia wants to build a new "Berlin Wall".
In a televised address he demanded that Russia "stop supporting terrorists in Ukraine".
Ukrainian forces recaptured an airfield outside Kramatorsk on Tuesday and armoured vehicles were seen in the centre of the town early on Wednesday.
Video later emerged of armoured personnel carriers, flying Russian flags, which were said to be travelling in the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk area.
In Donetsk, where activists have been occupying the regional government building since 6 April, gunmen met no resistance as they entered the mayor's office.
They told an AFP correspondent their only demand was for the region to stage a referendum on turning Ukraine into a federation with broader local rights.
'Civil war'
Russia's President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine was "on the verge of civil war" in a phone call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after acting President Olexander Turchynov announced the start of the operation to reclaim territory.
Russian officials said both leaders "emphasised the importance" during the conversation of planned four-way talks on Thursday between senior diplomats from Russia, the EU, the US and Ukraine.
However, Ukrainian and Western officials have accused Russia of being behind the pro-Russia activism in the region. Moscow strongly denies fomenting the unrest.
Ukrainian counter-terrorism chief Gen Vasyl Krutov, speaking to reporters at Kramatorsk airfield late on Tuesday, emphasised that armed individuals had crossed the border into Ukraine.
"We have to deal with a very serious, highly skilled and very professional opponent," he said according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
"They display a very high level of preparedness, tactical and practical skill. These people must have been to hot spots across the world and on their own territory."
Last month's annexation of Crimea by Moscow was preceded by the presence of uniformed, armed men believed to be Russian troops, although in greater numbers than the similarly dressed and equipped men who have been seen in eastern Ukraine, correspondents say.
The Kremlin has condemned the Ukrainian military operation in eastern Ukraine as an "anti-constitutional course to use force against peaceful protest actions".
Buildings seized
Tensions have mounted in recent days after pro-Russian rebels seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across eastern Ukraine.
They are demanding greater autonomy or referendums on secession from Ukraine.
Speaking in London, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said Russia had sent in "thinly disguised" armed groups to spearhead the occupation of buildings.
Moscow, he said, faced "serious long-term consequences" if it continued to destabilise Ukraine.
Russia took control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea last month, after it held a controversial referendum on self-determination.
The US has said it is "seriously considering" adding to sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea.
The White House has described Ukraine's military operation as a "measured" response to a lawless insurgency.
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