Updated

A Kiev court has extended the detention of two Russian servicemen captured in eastern Ukraine in May, ruling that they will remain in jail for at least two more months.

Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev have acknowledged being Russian servicemen and said they were on a reconnaissance mission. Russia's Defense Ministry, however, said they had resigned from active duty in December.

Russia has denied sending troops to Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists have been fighting government troops since April 2014. At least 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Yerofeyev told journalists during a break in Tuesday's court session he was under constant pressure from investigators to provide information.

The court also turned down a defense request to move the trial to eastern Ukraine. No trial date has been set.