Lugansk, June 3 (RHC- RIA Novosti),-- Eight civilians have been reported killed after an explosion in Lugansk’s regional administration building as Kiev deployed fighter jets to the city in eastern Ukraine.

The jets overhead and heavy gunfire on the ground caused panic among civilians.

RIA Novosti reported Tuesday that a salvo of free flight rockets fired from the Ukrainian armed forces’ fighter jet killed eight civilians inside and near the administrative building.

The government of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LNR) said:“Ukraine’s air force struck Lugansk downtown at 16.00 pm (local time). Military aircraft made a targeted strike, deploying cluster bombs. The administration building is partially destroyed.”

According to RIA Novosti, many wounded were trapped inside the administration headquarters, noting that the death toll may rise.

Meanwhile, fighting in the Lugansk region continued later on Monday, with another airstrike reported by the self-proclaimed republic’s authorities. They said that Kiev forces launched an air strike on a checkpoint in the region and there were casualties.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called Kiev’s ongoing military operation in southeastern Ukraine, and the use of the air force a “gross violation” of international law.

Moscow also urged NATO to demand that Kiev immediately stop its military operation and fulfill the Geneva accords, as well as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe roadmap of the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, Russia’s envoy to the alliance said.