A military confrontation between Ukraine and Russia has moved a step closer after Kyiv’s decision to launch a “full-scale anti-terrorist” operation”.

Announcing the move against pro-Russian separatists, the acting Ukraine President Oleksandr Turchynov said the action would involve the armed forces.

“We will not allow Russia to repeat the Crimea scenario in Ukraine’s eastern regions. This is not a war between Ukrainians, this is an artificially created conflict aimed at weakening and destroying Ukraine as a state,” Turchynov said in a televised address.

Angered by the death of a state security officer and the wounding of two of his comrades near the flashpoint eastern city of Slavyansk, Turchynov gave rebels occupying state buildings until Monday morning to lay down their weapons.