Two men accused of waging war against Ukrainian troops have gone on trial in Kiev accused of waging war against Ukrainian troops.

The pair described as Russian special-forces, named as Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Alexander Alexandrov and alleged to be officers in Russia's GRU foreign military intelligence, was captured in May during fighting in east Ukraine.

Prosecutors called for life sentences and the hearing was adjourned despite Russia’s insistence that the men were not serving soldiers when they were detained.

The two men deny charges of terrorism.

Tuesday's hearing coincided with the resumption of a trial in southern Russia, where Ukrainian air-force pilot Nadia Savchenko is accused of involvement in the deaths of two Russian journalists.

She insists she was captured by rebels before the journalists were killed in a mortar attack and then smuggled over the border into Russia illegally. Russian officials suggest she crossed the border herself, posing as a refugee.

Ms Savchenko, who has become a Ukrainian MP during her detention in Russia, dismissed the case against her as a “piece of rubbish”  when the trial began last week.