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Separatists Claim Three Civilians Killed In Donetsk Shelling


Smoke rises above a residential area after recent shelling near Donetsk airport during fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces.
Smoke rises above a residential area after recent shelling near Donetsk airport during fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces.

Pro-Russian separatists claim that shelling has killed three people in the rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

The rebel-controlled Donetsk city hall said in a statement on October 11 that "as a result of military actions in Donetsk on October 10 three civilians died and four more were injured and hospitalized."

Reports say shelling continued overnight in Donetsk's Kuibyshev district. Several residential houses were reportedly damaged in a fire caused by the shelling.

The reports come as Aleksandr Zakharchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic announced that a "period of quiet" came into force in Donetsk on October 11.

"If it holds for five days, then the parties will begin withdrawing heavy artillery," Zakharchenko said.

Fighting in Donetsk has focused mainly around the government-controlled airport northeast of the city, but nearby residential areas have been hit repeatedly by shells.

The United Nations said more than 300 people were killed since a ceasefire was signed on September 5.

It said at least 3,660 people have been killed and 8,756 wounded in eastern Ukraine since fighting began in mid-April.

Based on reporting by AFP, unian.net, Interfax, and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

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