Fighting around Debaltseve overshadows Ukraine ceasefire

A fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine was marred by heavy fighting in the past day between government forces and pro-independence insurgents for the contested town of Debaltseve in Donetsk region, reports showed Tuesday.

The warring sides traded accusations of initiating fresh attacks and claimed to control the town, a key regional railway junction, where violence is continuing for the fourth week in a row.

"Currently, the fierce battles are raging on the outskirts of the town. We also have information about clashes near the railway station," Andriy Lysenko, a government military spokesman, told reporters.

In the past 24 hours, five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and nine wounded in the confrontation, Lysenko said, adding that government troops "have managed to hold their grounds."

Meanwhile, the rebel forces claimed to have seized some districts in the town during the fighting.

"A major part of Debaltseve is now under our control, Ukrainian forces control only the western part of the town," the self-styled Defense Ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said in a statement.

Elsewhere in eastern Ukraine, there were no reports of truce violation in the past day.

The fighting in Donetsk and Lugansk regions calmed down on Sunday after a deal calling for a ceasefire came into force.

The peace agreement was reached after negotiations between leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France last Thursday in Minsk to end the conflict which has claimed the lives of over 5, 300 people. Endite