3 killed in eastern Ukraine as hostilities continue

At least three people were killed and seven others wounded in eastern Ukraine in the past day as skirmishes continued to flare around the frontline, reports showed Wednesday.

"Over the last 24 hours we have lost two soldiers and four were injured during the active hostilities," said Andriy Lysenko, a government military spokesman.

Pro-independence insurgents fired on Ukrainian positions 13 times in the past day using mortars, cannons and tanks, Lysenko said, accusing the rebels of violating the cease-fire, which came into force in February.

"Although the Ukrainian side strictly observes the Minsk agreement, the enemy continues armed provocations and attacks on our positions," he said.

Meanwhile, the self-styled defense ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic denied involvement of its troops in the attacks on the Ukrainian army, accusing Kiev of provocation.

"Such statements are aimed at discrediting the militia army," the ministry said, claiming that government forces violated the truce 45 times in the previous day, killing an insurgent soldier and wounding three others.

More than 6,000 people have been killed since fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine almost a year ago.

To stop the bloodshed, a truce deal was signed on Feb. 15 in the capital of Belarus, involving complete cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of heavy weapons and prisoner exchange. Endi