Ukrainian Soldiers Killed Despite Ceasefire

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Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in attacks by separatists since a ceasefire came into force, according to reports.

The ceasefire came into force on Sunday morning, but a Kiev military source has reported four deaths since then.

A further 21 Ukrainian soldiers have been wounded, the source added.

Occasional shelling and gunfire has been heard close to the flashpoint town of Debaltseve in the country's east. It is on the frontline between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists.

The ceasefire agreement was reached following talks in the Belarus capital Minsk led by France and Germany.

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Gallery: Ukraine Truce Hopes To End Months Of Bloodshed

Pro-Russian separatists drive a tank through Donetsk. Most of the frontline has fallen silent, but a Kiev source said four Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the ceasefire started on Sunday.

Two members of the armed forces from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic stand guard at a checkpoint near the town

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Another member of the Donetsk People's Republic checks on a kettle as the ceasefire holds across large swathes of eastern Ukraine

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Meanwhile, on a road leading to the contested town of Debaltseve - which has continued to see some unrest - two Ukrainian soldiers play football during the ceasefire

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Other members of the Ukrainian armed forces take a cigarette break near Debaltseve.

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But Pro-Russian rebels had indicated they would not observe the truce at Debaltseve where Ukrainian forces have been largely surrounded.

Senior rebel commander Eduard Basurin said: "Of course we can open fire (on Debaltseve). It is our territory."

A statement released by Kiev said the "enemy" was carrying out attacks in the region using Grad rockets.

It said the military had a plan to try to re-take control of Debaltseve.

The 10-month conflict has already claimed more than 5,300 lives.

In a counter claim, separatist military spokesman Eduard Basurin said in a televised news conference on Monday that the government launched an artillery strike overnight on Horlivka, a town under rebel control.

Meanwhile the European Union has published a new list of Ukrainians and Russians targeted by sanctions for undermining Ukraine's independence.

The list includes Russian first deputy defence minister Arkady Bakhin.

Also named on the list of 19 people and nine organisations is Andrei Kartapolov, deputy chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces.

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