More than 100 prisoners escaped from a Ukrainian high-security prison in Donetsk yesterday after it was hit by a shell amid fighting between government forces and rebels.

One inmate was killed and 106 escaped, the city council said. Three other prisoners were injured.

The “strict regime” prison for dangerous criminals is located on the city’s western outskirts.

The fugitives include people jailed for murder, robbery and rape.

Over the past week, Kiev’s forces have intensified their push on rebel-held Donetsk and rocket fire has become a daily feature.

City council spokesman Maxim Rovensky said at least 10 homes, shops and garages had been hit overnight by rockets and 20,000 people are living without electricity. Many lack food and water.

Rebel leader Aleksandr Zakharchenko said at the weekend that anti-Kiev forces were willing to accept a ceasefire.

But the government has refused to accept anything short of total surrender.