Death toll of conflict in E. Ukraine rises to 9,640: UN report

The number of people killed in the 29-month conflict in eastern Ukraine has climbed to 9,640, the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a report on Thursday.

The document also suggested that at least 22,431 civilians, government soldiers and members of the armed groups were injured in the conflict zone since mid-April 2014.

According to the report, the increase in the casualty toll came amid an escalation of violence in the restive region between mid-May and mid-August this year, which resulted in 28 deaths and 160 injuries of civilians.

"While the situation has improved since the ceasefire was restored on September 1, the situation along the contact line remains deeply unstable," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al-Hussein was quoted as saying.

Among the key risk factors that could escalate the tensions, the UN human rights office listed close proximity of the conflicting sides along the contact line and the proliferation of arms in populated residential areas.

The report also highlighted that civilians living in the conflict-torn region are still suffering from the violation of their rights, including limitation of freedom of movement, lack of access to basic services and humanitarian aid as well as ill-treatment and alleged tortures. Endit