Ukrainian Troops Enter Central Kramatorsk

The town's airfield was recaptured on Tuesday after the acting President announced an "anti terror operation"

Armoured personnel carriers in the town were blocked by Pro Russian locals who were talking to  the soldiers , tension is running high , with Russia's President Putin warning , Ukraine is "on the verge of civial war"

Mr. Putin made the comments in a phone call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel , after acting President Olexander Turchynov announced the start of the operation on Tuesday

Russian officials said both leaders "emphasised the importance" during the conversation of planned four way talks on Thursday , between senior diplomats from Russia , the E.U. the U.S.and Ukraine

However , Ukraine and Western officials have accused Russia of being behind the Pro Russia activism inthe region , Moscow strongly denies formenting the unrest

Ukrainian counter terrorism chief Gen. Vasyl Krutov , told 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 proffessional opponent""" he said

Tensions have mounted in recent days , after Pro Russian rebels seized buildings in about ten towns and cities across Eastern Ukraine , they are demanding greater autonomt or a referendum on secession

U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague said russia had sent in "thinly disguised " armed groups to spearhead the occupation of buildings , speaking in London , he said Moscow faced "serious long term consequences" if it continued to destabilize Ukraine

Mr.Turchynov said on Tuesday that troops had regained control of a military airfield in Kramatorsk after fighting with armed Pro Russian  groups , he said the aimof the operation in the East was to "protect Ukrainian citizens , to stop the attempts to tear our country apart"

Overnight a ctrowd of up to 100 people were reported to be outside the airbase with petrol bombs lined up on the ground

Elsewhere ,Ukrainian armoured vehicles have been assembling North of the nearby town of Sloviansk

"They (separatists) must be warned that if they do not lay down their arms , they will be destroyed" General Vasyl Krutov told reporters