Nine Ukraine soldiers killed by Russian separatists

It’s the the deadliest day for the military in weeks of fighting between Russian separatists and Ukrainian security forces in the east of the country.

At least nine Ukrainian soldiers were killed in attacks by pro-Russian separatists in the east overnight, the Kiev defence ministry has said.

Eight were killed and another 17 wounded when rebels opened fire on a military checkpoint near the town of Volnovaha in the Donetsk region, ministry spokesman Bogdan Senk said.

Heavily armed “terrorists” carried out the attack, the ministry said.

Another soldier was killed and two injured in clashes in the neighbouring Lugansk region.

It’s the the deadliest day for the military in weeks of fighting between Russian separatists and Ukrainian security forces in the area.

Includes reporting from AFP.

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