7 soldiers killed, 9 injured in E. Ukraine

At least seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and nine were injured in the past 24 hours in eastern Ukraine, government military spokesman Olexandr Motuzyanyk said here Tuesday.

"Ukrainian forces have suffered extremely heavy losses in all three directions of the confrontation," Motuzyanyk told reporters, accusing independence-seeking militants of violating the country's cease-fire 47 times in the past day.

Most casualties were the result of rebel attacks, but there were also mine-related deaths, Motuzyanyk said.

Meanwhile, Olexandr Turchynov, the head of the country's Security and Defense Council, said that the army's loss in the last 24 hours were the highest over the past year.

The militants have not commented on their casualty toll in the last day, but the rebel-run DAN news agency said two civilians were wounded by shelling in the restive area.

More than 9,300 people have been killed and almost 22,000 others wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine that started in April 2014.

Last September, the confronting sides declared a cease-fire in the region and have not carried out major offensive operations against each other since, but sporadic clashes persisted. Endi