7 dead as violence continues in Ukraine's east

Violent fighting between government troops and pro-independence insurgents has continued in eastern Ukraine in the past day, killing at least seven people and wounding 23 others, authorities said Wednesday.

Military spokesman Vladislav Seleznev told reporters that military actions were underway in 55 cities, towns and villages across the restive region.

"Over the past 24 hours, three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 15 others were taken to hospitals with wounds of varying severity," Seleznev said.

Separately, two women in their early 70's died and three other civilians were injured during a shelling in Popasna town in Lugansk region, a press service of regional administration said.

In Donetsk city, which has been hit by repeated clashes, mortar fire has killed a civilian and wounded five others over the past day, according to Donetsk city council.

In Svetlodarsk town, some 55 km north of Donetsk, a nurse was killed when shelling hit a hospital, local health authorities said.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine began in April 2014, when Kiev launched offensives against pro-independence rebels in a bid to retake the cities and towns seized by them.

The violence escalated three weeks ago, pushing the conflict's confirmed death toll to more than 5,000 people. Endite