One Ukrainian soldier has been killed and three others wounded in an attack perpetrated by pro-Russian separatists on Karachun Mountain overnight, said Dmitry Tymchuk of Information Resistance, a pro-Ukrainian group.
Tymchuk said the separatists attacked the Ukrainian soldiers who were deployed on the mountain in eastern Slavyansk. Gun battles were reported during the night and on Monday morning.
The parties clashed using heavy arms and howitzers, said AA correspondent in Slavyansk.
Clashes were also reported in the town of Semenavka, which is populated with Ahiska Turks.
Separatists were also said to have seized control of two checkpoints in the city of Kramatorsk city.
On May 2, Kiev launched an anti-terrorist operation against pro-Russian separatists that had besieged the city of Slavyansk.
Heavily-armed, pro-Russia militants have since fortified themselves in dozens of cities in eastern Ukraine.
Sporadic but increasingly intense fighting continues as Ukrainian troops attempt to restore federal authority in areas held by separatist forces.
In addition, Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov called on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to cooperate for the release of Russian journalists held in Kramatorsk.
On Sunday, two journalists working for Russian Life News Agency were captured by Ukrainian soldiers in Kramatorsk.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
