Resurgent Ukrainian forces reclaims port city

Kiev: Resurgent Ukrainian forces hoisted the national flag over a strategic rebel-held port on Friday while the embattled leaders in Kiev made urgent preparations for a looming Russian gas cut.

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko celebrated the soldiers' “heroism” by proclaiming the industrial Sea of Azov city of Mariupol the new temporary capital of Donetsk.

Ukrainian interior minister said that federal forces had inflicted “heavy losses” on the rebels.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President said on Friday that the reported crossing of Russian tanks into his country was “unacceptable”.

Kremlin, however, claimed that two Ukrainian tanks crossed the border into Russia on Friday.