A major escalation in the crisis in eastern Ukraine.<br/> <br />Hundreds of pro-Russia separatists seize the regional government's headquarters and the prosecutor's office.<br/> <br />They targeted provincial buildings in this small city of Lukansk less than 30 kilometres from the Russian border.<br/> <br />Having control of this area would give separatists sway over the entire Donbass coalfield - which accounts for around a third of Ukraine's industrial output.<br/> <br />Shouting "Rise up", they gathered outside demanding a referendum on greater autonomy. Most of the people in this area speak Russian as their first language.<br/> <br />A group of men armed with sticks and bars broke into the building.<br/> <br />They pulled down the Ukrainian flag flying from the roof and replaced it with the Russian tricolour.<br/> <br />Crowds of pro-Russia activists then overran the building housing the prosecutor's office before attacking the headquarters of the interior ministry's police force.<br/> <br />Here some activists can be s
