UK bolsters Ukraine monitoring group

The OSCE is responsible for monitoring a ceasefire agreed between the warring parties in Minsk in September

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (EPA)

Britain is to send 10 armoured vehicles to bolster the international monitoring mission in eastern Ukraine amid renewed tensions between the pro-Russia separatist rebels in the government in Kiev.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the vehicles would enable the monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to operate safely in the more volatile parts of the country.

At the same time, Britain is expanding its contribution to the OSCE mission staff, with eight additional monitors arriving last week, and three more due to join them at the end of the month.

It follows an appeal from the current OSCE chairman-in-office, Didier Burkhalter, to member states for additional support.

The OSCE is responsible for monitoring a ceasefire agreed between the warring parties in Minsk in September.

Mr Hammond said: “The UK stands squarely behind the Ukrainian people and government as they defend their nation’s independence.”