At least four civilians were killed in clashes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday.
Three died in Luhansk city while another was killed in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk.
Luhansk City Council announced that 10 civilians were wounded following army artillery fire. Security officials in Donetsk said 38 civilians were wounded in clashes.
The Ukrainian army has been mounting a month-long “anti-terror” operation against the separatists in the eastern provinces.
Earlier on Wednesday, the army took control of the towns of Kharlovka, Netaylovo and Pervomayskoye near Donetsk Airport.
Igor Strelkov, alleged to be a Russian military intelligence officer who commands rebel forces in Donetsk, said the army would not "dare to enter Donetsk" with troops and would restrict attacks to artillery.
He said: "We will be waiting for them if they take any step to enter the city. Their tanks will prove defenseless in the city. As to the soldiers, they do not have the ground operation skills."
The fighting has left at least 1,000 people dead, including the 298 victims on Malaysian airliner MH17.
A ten-day ceasefire ended June 30 when Ukrainian troops re-launched their operation against secessionists.
www.aa.com.tr/en
