Ukraine says one of its soldiers has been killed and eight others wounded in clashes with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on April 12 that separatist fighters fired machine guns, anti-tank missiles, and grenade launchers, violating a cease-fire 20 times in a 24-hour period.
Heavy weapons, including anti-tank missiles, are banned under the Minsk peace agreements.
The ministry also said that Ukrainian armed forces killed nine separatists and wounded eight others.
Meanwhile, the separatists in the Luhansk region accused Ukrainian government forces of violating the cease-fire seven times in the same period.
Since April 2014, some 13,000 people have been killed in fighting between Kyiv's forces and Russia-backed separatists who control parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords -- September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed at resolving the conflict -- have contributed to a decrease in fighting but have failed to hold.
A new cease-fire agreement was reached on March 8, but both sides have accused each other of repeated violations since then.
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Losing Syria Is A 'Huge Slap In The Face' For Russia
2The Ruble Swoons And Russia's Economy Wobbles Further
3How Russia Is Spinning Its Syria Debacle, And Why
4Romanian Court Annuls Presidential Election, Throws Process Into Chaos
5Romania's 'King Of TikTok' Tied To Alleged Scheme Boosting Far-Right Presidential Candidate
6How Assad's Fall Threatens Russia's Military Influence In Syria -- And Across The Region
7The Wasteland: Shocking New Images From Russian-Occupied Maryinka
8Trump Says Russia, Iran In 'Weakened State,' Calls On Putin To Make Ukraine Deal
9Russia Says Syria's Assad Granted Asylum In Moscow
10Ukraine Live Briefing: U.S. Announces 'Critical Infusion' Of Aid
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
