DHAKA: Separatist rebels on Thursday seized four Ukrainian coal mines in the east of the strife-torn country and demanded that its workers supply them with explosives.

The Ukrainian energy ministry said, reports The Straits Times.

‘The terrorists, threatening (workers) with guns, are demanding explosives’ in the eastern Lugansk region near the Russian border, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the mines belong to the Lysychanskugol company.

BDST: 2016 HRS, MAY 22, 2014