Baku-APA. At least 11 people, including four civilians, have been killed and 29 others wounded during renewed fighting in Ukraine's conflict-hit east within the past 24 hours, local authorities said Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
"The situation in Donetsk and Lugansk regions remains difficult, " Vladimir Polevoy, deputy head of the information department of the National Security and Defense Council, told reporters. Seven government soldiers were killed and 25 injured in the fighting against independence-seeking insurgents in the past day, the official said.
The separatist forces were deploying tanks, heavy weaponry and rocket launchers in preparation for further advancement toward the government-controlled territories, Polevoy said.
However, the separatist leadership said that their offensive is aimed at preventing "further attacks by government troops on the villages located at the frontline."
Four civilians died and four others were wounded after being caught in the crossfire in Lugansk region, said Gennady Moskal, head of Lugansk Regional Administration.
Tensions in eastern Ukraine flared up almost three weeks ago when the insurgents launched an offensive to seize the government- controlled airport in Donetsk, and pushed the operation toward other cities and towns in the conflict-torn regions. It is estimated that more than 5,000 people were killed in the violence in eastern Ukraine since April 2014.
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