Trained troops bolster rebels

Alexander Zakharchenko, pro-Russian rebel leader, at a press conference in Donetsk. Photo / AP

Russia denies lending support to separatists

Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine are being bolstered by 1200 troops who "trained for four months in Russia", according to the separatists' leader.

A video recording of Alexander Zakharchenko speaking to delegates in the rebel-held city of Donetsk appeared to confirm reports of Moscow's military support to the separatists, who have been fighting Ukrainian government troops since April.

Ukraine's Government claimed on Saturday to have destroyed part of a column of Russian military vehicles that crossed its border, with Nato accusing Moscow of launching an "incursion".

Russia denies any incursion into Ukraine by its troops. It also denies lending any military or logistical support to the rebel militias.

In his speech, reportedly made at a "people's council" and posted on a pro-rebel YouTube channel, Zakharchenko said: "The following reserves have been gathered: 150 armoured vehicles, of which about 30 are tanks and the rest are BMPs and BTRs [infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers], 1200 military personnel, who are there now, who underwent training for four months on the territory of the Russian Federation. They were brought into action at the most crucial moment."

Zakharchenko, who is prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, did not make clear exactly where the armoured vehicles were. The troops were apparently approaching or travelling along a "corridor" established by the rebels between Russia and Ukraine and would take part in battles to keep it open.

On Friday, correspondents from the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian saw at least 23 armoured vehicles and military trucks crossing from Russia into Ukraine close to the Donetsk checkpoint, north of Rostov-on-Don.

Russia has sent a humanitarian aid convoy, destined for civilians in eastern Ukraine, to the area. The 270 trucks full of cargo including food, water, medicines, bedding and generators, are parked 30km short of the Donetsk crossing point.

Meanwhile, the phone of Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was hacked by an unnamed country while she was overseas trying to secure access to the MH17 crash site in Ukraine.