Lithuania envoy murdered in eastern Ukraine

Lithuania says its honorary consul in the rebel-held Luhansk in eastern Ukraine has been murdered by "terrorists", the BBC reports.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said with "deep sorrow" that Mykola Zelenec had been "kidnapped & brutally killed by terrorists there".

The news came amid reports that some Russian aid lorries had reached Luhansk without any permission from Ukraine.

There has been no comment from the rebels yet on the Lithuanian diplomat's death.

Lithuania is among the most vociferous EU member states in its criticism of Russian actions in Ukraine. The EU and US accuse Russia of fomenting the separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine.

The news also follows a visit by Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs to Lithuania, Linas Linkevicius to Kiev on Friday.

Lithuania has previously said it supports Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.