Seven observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are being held by Russian-friendly individuals in Slaviansk of eastern Ukraine, according to Russian Interfax.

As the site states, gunmen seized the bus, in which observers were aboard, while approaching the city.

“Unknown men stopped the bus carrying 13 passengers at the entrance of Slaviansk at 11.40. Among the passengers were seven members of the OSCE, five members of the Ukrainian armed forces, and the driver”, stated the Ministry of the Interior of the Ukraine.

“The terrorists led the bus with its passengers to a building belong to the State security service (SBU) in Slaviansk”, added the ministry, noting that there are “ongoing negotiations for their release”.

At the same time, separatists argue that among the group of observers was a “spy” of Kiev.