Artillery rocks Ukraine despite truce
Artillery fire rocked the outskirts of the rebel-held east Ukraine city of Donetsk yesterday in the latest clashes to rattle an internationally-brokered ceasefire between pro-Russian separatists and Kyiv.
The sound of intensive explosions erupted at 9:00 am (0600 GMT) and appeared to come from the area around Donetsk airport, one of several flashpoints where shelling has rumbled on despite the February truce deal that has eased fighting around much of eastern Ukraine.
The Ukranian army said rebels located near the airport had used small arms, 82mm mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades against government troops overnight.
It said there had been three injuries in its ranks but no deaths.
In the separatist stronghold of Lugansk, the army also came under fire from small arms and heavier 120mm mortar shells, according to an official statement.
The overall rate of fighting has declined sharply since the peace deal, which obliges both sides to stop shooting and withdraw heavy weapons, was hammered out by the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.