Ukraine may impose martial law if crisis deepens: FM

Ukraine may impose martial law if the crisis in the country's eastern regions deepens, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said late Monday.

"Regarding the martial law -- if the security situation deteriorates further, I do not rule out its introduction," Klimkin said in a televised interview.0 He added that martial law is a necessary option during armed conflicts, and that some countries are dealing with wars without that option.

The comments came as tensions between government troops and independence-seeking insurgents escalated this month, bringing new casualties.

In the past day, two combatants from both sides were killed and two others wounded. A 15-year-old died after he was caught in the crossfire between the confronting sides.

Last week, Kiev said the introduction of martial law was not under consideration.

The conflict between government troops and rebels in eastern Ukraine has been raging since April 2014, claiming some 10,000 lives. Endi