Hurting Putin's close associates in Donnetsk

Donetsk, controlled by pro-Mosca troops, is in the industrial region of Donbas, the focus of recent fierce fighting between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters reports.

One of the wounded was Dmitry Rogoz, former Russian deputy prime minister, who is giving military advice to two occupied Ukraine regions that Moscow claims its own, said an assistant to the Russian news agency “Tass”. He also said that his life was not in danger.

Also injured was Vitaly Khotsenko, head of the government of the self-declared People's Republic of Donetsk, his press secretary for Russian news agencies said.

The two men were injured when a hotel on the outskirts of Donetsk was put under fire by high-speed weapons, aides told Russian agencies. A Russian parliamentary who was also at the hotel said the attackers had acted on a tip.

Rogoz once headed the Russian Space Agency, but was replaced in July. He had taken a confrontational stance since the agency was hit with sanctions for its role in the defence industry.