Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the leader of pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, has agreed to let encircled Ukrainian government troops leave the battlefield after Russian President Vladimir Putin called on militia forces to open "a humanitarian corridor." Zakharchenko said his forces would comply on the condition that the Ukrainian government forces hand over their weapons. (Reuters)
More well-equipped pro-Russian separatists of the "Donetsk People's Republic" in Ukraine:
From our news desk:
In a new report, the UN says the conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed nearly 2,600 people since mid-April and notes "serious human rights abuses" including abductions and torture committed "primarily" by pro-Russian separatists.
The report, presented in both Geneva and Kyiv on August 29, also documents violations committed by Ukrainian forces in their efforts to recapture territory from rebels.
The UN said the sharp increase in casualties -- around 36 people each day -- is explained by fighting occurring in densely populated areas.
The report says it is not known precisely how many people remain in captivity in Ukraine but says that as of August 17 at least 468 are believed to be still detained by various armed groups.
The UN's high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, said the "deliberate targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, and more must be done to protect them."
Read our story on the Soldier's Mothers Committee's complaints here: In Russia, Ukraine War Hits Home With Secret Funerals, Missing Men
We will be examining this trend ourselves a little later today:
For the sake of context, here is a map of the historical Novorossia:
