Sergei Toropov has been appointed Russia's charge d'affaires in Ukraine after Mikhail Zurabov was relieved of his duties as Russia's ambassador to this country.

"Sergei Lvovich Toropov is the charge d'affaires" in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Interfax.

It was reported earlier on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin had relieved Zurabov of his duties as Russia's ambassador in Kyiv.