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Ukraine conflict: UN warns of dangerous deterioration | Ukraine conflict: UN warns of dangerous deterioration |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The UN Security Council has warned of a "dangerous deterioration" in eastern Ukraine and called on warring sides to halt the violence. | The UN Security Council has warned of a "dangerous deterioration" in eastern Ukraine and called on warring sides to halt the violence. |
The council said renewed fighting was having a "severe impact" on civilians. | The council said renewed fighting was having a "severe impact" on civilians. |
Fighting in the frontline town of Avdiivka has left thousands of residents without water or power in freezing conditions. | Fighting in the frontline town of Avdiivka has left thousands of residents without water or power in freezing conditions. |
Ukraine says it is preparing a possible evacuation of the town to avoid a humanitarian crisis. | Ukraine says it is preparing a possible evacuation of the town to avoid a humanitarian crisis. |
Each side blames the other for the upsurge in violence. | Each side blames the other for the upsurge in violence. |
"The members of the Security Council called for an immediate return to a ceasefire regime," the Ukrainian-drafted statement said. | "The members of the Security Council called for an immediate return to a ceasefire regime," the Ukrainian-drafted statement said. |
The text did not raise objections from Russia, a permanent member of the council, which has in the past routinely blocked statements put forward by Ukraine. | The text did not raise objections from Russia, a permanent member of the council, which has in the past routinely blocked statements put forward by Ukraine. |
More than 9,700 people have died in the conflict which erupted in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula. Pro-Russian rebels later launched an insurgency in the east. | More than 9,700 people have died in the conflict which erupted in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula. Pro-Russian rebels later launched an insurgency in the east. |
The US and EU imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in eastern Ukraine. Russia has denied backing the rebels. | The US and EU imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in eastern Ukraine. Russia has denied backing the rebels. |
Ukrainian forces say the latest outbreak began when rebels launched an attack on the government-held town of Avdiivka, which borders land controlled by the separatists. | Ukrainian forces say the latest outbreak began when rebels launched an attack on the government-held town of Avdiivka, which borders land controlled by the separatists. |
The rebels say government forces attacked them first. | The rebels say government forces attacked them first. |
Seven soldiers and a number of rebels have been killed in recent days, and there have been civilian casualties although precise numbers are unclear. | Seven soldiers and a number of rebels have been killed in recent days, and there have been civilian casualties although precise numbers are unclear. |
Ukraine say that if the evacuation goes ahead, up to 8,000 people could be moved each day from the town. | Ukraine say that if the evacuation goes ahead, up to 8,000 people could be moved each day from the town. |
"Everything is going bad," a resident in Avdiivka, who identified herself only as Nadiya, told the BBC. | "Everything is going bad," a resident in Avdiivka, who identified herself only as Nadiya, told the BBC. |
"People are scared and try to go out. It's very cold. There are bread queues. Only a few shops are open." | "People are scared and try to go out. It's very cold. There are bread queues. Only a few shops are open." |
The population of the town is believed to range between 16,000 and 22,000. | The population of the town is believed to range between 16,000 and 22,000. |
Officials say the evacuation will go ahead if the fighting escalates further. About 10 tonnes of food will soon arrive in the city, they add. | Officials say the evacuation will go ahead if the fighting escalates further. About 10 tonnes of food will soon arrive in the city, they add. |
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