Separatists In Eastern Ukraine Say Top Commander Killed In Car Bombing
Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine say one of their top commanders was killed when his car exploded early on February 4.
The separatists' Luhansk Information Center said Oleg Anashchenko and a second unidentified person were killed in the explosion in Luhansk city. It accused Ukrainian special services of causing the explosion, saying "it was a plotted and targeted car bombing."
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said on February 4 that three of its soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in the past day amid escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine.
More than 30 people, including civilians, have been killed and several dozens injured in fighting between pro-Kyiv forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine this week, with both sides blaming each other for the upsurge of violence.
UN, EU, and other international officials have issued urgent pleas for negotiations to avoid a "catastrophe."
According to UN figures, more than 9,800 people have been killed in the conflict since it began in April 2014.
Based on reporting by Interfax, AP, and unian.net
OSCE Calls On Both Sides To Pull Back In Eastern Ukraine
The group monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine has made an urgent appeal to both sides to stop shelling and honor the cease-fire agreed in 2015, after this week's sharp escalation in the conflict. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
We are now closing the live blog for today, but we'll be back again tomorrow morning to follow all the latest developments. Until then, you can keep up with all our other Ukraine coverage here.