Ukraine rebel leaders sworn in, Kiev says peace plan violated

Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko is sworn in as the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic during a ceremony at a theatre in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, November 4, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) - Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine staged swearing in ceremonies for their leaders on Tuesday after votes dismissed as a farce by Kiev, which says they violated terms of a peace plan to end a war that has killed more than 4,000 people.

Warning of the threat of new offensive by Moscow-backed rebels, Ukraine's leader said newly-formed army units would be sent to defend a string of eastern cities.