Ukrainian official vows 'not to stop' amid continued offensive against pro-Russian insurgents

Ukraine's interior minister has said military operations in the east would continue, 'vowing to not stop'.

Arsen Avakov added that the 'active phase' of an operation involving 'special units ... instructed to stop the provocation' was in its second day Saturday and centered in Kramatorsk.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said this development 'should signal to everyone that we need peace and reconciliation,' CNN reports.

He added that this is the only way to save Ukraine and make it a flourishing European state.

Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatist leader in Luhansk have announced the formation of an army to march on Kiev.

Russia continued to condemn this and other actions by the Kiev-based government targeting those aligned with Moscow, the report said.

Ukraine's military has stepped up its own activity, including the launch Friday of its biggest push, to reassert control over parts of the nation's east.

The violence has also spilled over into cities like Odessa, on the Black Sea.