Ukraine unrest: Abducted OSCE observers 'freed'

Pro-Russian groups were holding the observers after seizing them in Sloviansk

Seven international military observers seized by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have been freed, Russia media say.

The observers, linked to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, were seized in the town of Sloviansk on 25 April.

Five Ukrainian officers taken with them were also freed, the reports said.

The news comes as Ukraine's government resumed military action to tackle the separatists in the east.

Russia's RIA news agency quoted Vladimir Lukin, an envoy sent by President Vladimir Putin to negotiate the release, as saying: "All the 12 people who have been on my list have been released."

The Associated Press news agency quoted local insurgent leader Vyacheslav Ponomaryov as confirming the releases.

The agency also said that one of its reporters had seen one of the observers, German Col Axel Schneider, and his Ukrainian translator walk free.

Western leaders had condemned the abductions.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama again called for the observers to be released, saying their abduction was "inexcusable" and "disgraceful".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said earlier that the release of the seven - four Germans, a Dane, a Pole and a Czech - would be "an important step" in easing tensions in the region.