Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country are expected to exchange more prisoners, after the two sides swapped hundreds of captives yesterday.

BBC reports that Ukrainian authorities are said to be hoping that four more soldiers will be freed.

Yesterday, Ukraine said they had exchanged 222 rebels for 146 of their soldiers. 

It is seen as a major step towards easing hostilities in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has claimed more than 4,700 lives since April.

Ukraine's military said earlier this month that an estimated 600 Ukrainians are being held by rebels.

The prisoner exchanges come as Ukraine froze bus and rail links with Crimea, the southern peninsula annexed by Russia earlier this year.

The region, which receives much of its power from Ukraine, has also experienced blackouts in recent days, with Kiev saying they were forced to limit supplies due to shortages in Ukraine itself.