KIEV
Five Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the last 24 hours, in the eastern regions of the country, in clashes with pro-Russian separatists, security officials said on Friday.
Fighting in eastern Ukraine has become more intense in the past few days, as clashes between the Ukrainian army and the rebel pro-Russian separatists are becoming more frequent, National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine spokesman Andrey Lisenko said.
During last 24 hours, 16 Ukrainian soldiers were injured in the fighting, Lisenko said. .
Pro-Russian separatists have violated the cease-fire 49 times during the last 24 hours, Lisenko said, adding that they had used heavy weapons near the Donetsk Airport and at some other locations.
He said that a convoy of 32 tanks, 16 vehicles carrying mortars and 30 vehicles carrying Russian soldiers was seen advancing from Russia to Ukraine's Luhansk’s Krasniy Luç district.
Tensions remain high in eastern Ukraine, in despite of the cease-fire agreement signed by the Ukrainian government and the pro-Russian separatists on Sept. 5 in Belarus' capital Minsk. The agreement, which is not being respected, was intended to put an end to the conflict which has left thousands dead.
www.aa.com.tr/en
