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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 costUkraine's war: The human cost
Source: Figures from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 February, and UN report on 21 JanuarySource: 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?
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