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Ukraine crisis: Civilians die as fighting rages in east | Ukraine crisis: Civilians die as fighting rages in east |
(35 minutes later) | |
Up to 16 civilians have been killed and dozens more injured in the space of 24 hours in fighting in eastern Ukraine. | Up to 16 civilians have been killed and dozens more injured in the space of 24 hours in fighting in eastern Ukraine. |
Government officials and representatives of the rebels reported deaths in locations across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. | Government officials and representatives of the rebels reported deaths in locations across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. |
Ukraine's army also said five soldiers had died during fierce clashes with the pro-Russian rebels near the strategic town of Debaltseve in eastern Donetsk. | Ukraine's army also said five soldiers had died during fierce clashes with the pro-Russian rebels near the strategic town of Debaltseve in eastern Donetsk. |
Civilian casualties have risen sharply in recent weeks amid a rebel offensive. | Civilian casualties have risen sharply in recent weeks amid a rebel offensive. |
The latest deaths were in the city of Donetsk, Debaltseve and several villages under government control in the Luhansk region. The exact numbers could not be independently confirmed. | The latest deaths were in the city of Donetsk, Debaltseve and several villages under government control in the Luhansk region. The exact numbers could not be independently confirmed. |
There has been heavy fighting around Debaltseve, site of a key railroad junction, for the past week, with rebels trying to surround government forces. | There has been heavy fighting around Debaltseve, site of a key railroad junction, for the past week, with rebels trying to surround government forces. |
The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says reports suggest there is a growing humanitarian crisis in the town, which is virtually cut off by the battle. | The BBC's David Stern in Kiev says reports suggest there is a growing humanitarian crisis in the town, which is virtually cut off by the battle. |
A Ukrainian journalist who visited told the BBC that Debaltseve had been virtually destroyed and many residents were trapped - hiding in basements, without food, electricity or water supplies. | A Ukrainian journalist who visited told the BBC that Debaltseve had been virtually destroyed and many residents were trapped - hiding in basements, without food, electricity or water supplies. |
In another development, the government in Kiev announced new rules limiting the documents that Russians can use to enter Ukraine, in a move correspondents say will increase tensions with Moscow. | In another development, the government in Kiev announced new rules limiting the documents that Russians can use to enter Ukraine, in a move correspondents say will increase tensions with Moscow. |
From 1 March, Russians will need a passport to gain entry to Ukraine rather than just their internal identity documents, a government decree said, ending a previous visa-free travel agreement with Russia. | From 1 March, Russians will need a passport to gain entry to Ukraine rather than just their internal identity documents, a government decree said, ending a previous visa-free travel agreement with Russia. |
'Bus stop battlegrounds' | 'Bus stop battlegrounds' |
UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said there had been a "clear breach of international humanitarian law which governs the conduct of armed conflicts". | UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said there had been a "clear breach of international humanitarian law which governs the conduct of armed conflicts". |
"Bus stops and public transport, marketplaces, schools and kindergartens, hospitals and residential areas have become battlegrounds in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine," he said in a statement. | "Bus stops and public transport, marketplaces, schools and kindergartens, hospitals and residential areas have become battlegrounds in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine," he said in a statement. |
According to the UN, the death toll now exceeds 5,350 people and more than 12,000 other people have been wounded in the fighting. | According to the UN, the death toll now exceeds 5,350 people and more than 12,000 other people have been wounded in the fighting. |
Some 1.2 million have fled their homes since last April, when the rebels seized a big swathe of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. | Some 1.2 million have fled their homes since last April, when the rebels seized a big swathe of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. |
The latest casualty figures come amid fears that the fighting in eastern Ukraine is escalating. | The latest casualty figures come amid fears that the fighting in eastern Ukraine is escalating. |
On Monday, pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said rebels were aiming to boost their forces to 100,000 men. | On Monday, pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said rebels were aiming to boost their forces to 100,000 men. |
Ukraine's government also announced a major mobilisation, with plans to bring the numbers in its armed forces to 200,000 by later this year. | Ukraine's government also announced a major mobilisation, with plans to bring the numbers in its armed forces to 200,000 by later this year. |
Meanwhile, officials in the US say they are seriously considering sending defensive weapons and other lethal aid to Ukraine's armed forces. | Meanwhile, officials in the US say they are seriously considering sending defensive weapons and other lethal aid to Ukraine's armed forces. |
Nato says the rebels are being supported by hundreds of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles that have crossed the border into eastern Ukraine. | Nato says the rebels are being supported by hundreds of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles that have crossed the border into eastern Ukraine. |
The Kremlin has denied direct involvement but says some Russian volunteers are fighting alongside the rebels. | The Kremlin has denied direct involvement but says some Russian volunteers are fighting alongside the rebels. |
Ukraine's war: The human cost | Ukraine's war: The human cost |
Source: Figures from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 February, and UN report on 21 January | Source: Figures from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 February, and UN report on 21 January |
Why is violence surging in eastern Ukraine? | Why is violence surging in eastern Ukraine? |
Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk regions? Have you been affected by recent events? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. | |
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