Pro-Russian separatists kill Ukrainian soldier in Donbas

By Talha Yavuz

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) – A Ukrainian soldier was killed in a shooting by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the country’s armed forces said in a statement on Tuesday.

The separatists have violated the cease-fire 11 times yesterday and once today, said the statement.

The separatists opened fire in the Pavlopyl, Svetlodarsk, Avdiivka, and Vodianik regions of Donbas, it stressed, adding that one Ukrainian soldier was killed due to the attacks.

- Donbas crisis

Demonstrations had started in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Nov. 21, 2013, after former President Viktor Yanukovych failed to sign the Association Agreement of the EU.

The pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donbas region cities of Donetsk and Luhansk had declared their so-called independence after Yanukovych fled the country in February 2014 amid growing demonstrations.

The conflict between the separatists and the Kyiv administration has been going on since then, which caused the death of over 13,000 people.

* Writing by Merve Berker