Pro-Russian separatists kill 5 Ukrainian soldiers

By Ali Cura

KIEV (AA) - Five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and six injured Sunday in attacks by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, according to a statement Monday.

Ukraine's Anti-Terrorist Division's press service said the casualties took place in Donetsk’s Svitlodarsk region when pro-Russian separatists attacked with howitzers and heavy weapons.

The statement said 20 pro-Russian separatists were also killed and 30 injured in the attack.

Crimea was formally annexed by Moscow in March 2014 after an illegal independence vote on the heels of violent anti-government protests.

The UN General Assembly voted nearly unanimously to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.

Along with many UN countries, the U.S., and the EU, Turkey also does not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia separatists has seen around 9,700 killed, according to the UN.