Ukraine crisis: More casualties and fighting with heavy weapons as violence spreads across eastern region

Military spokesman says at least one Ukrainian soldier has been killed and eight injured in clashes with separatists

A family walks past a shrapnel damaged building and street vendors at a market by the railway station near the frontline in Donetsk (Getty)

Violence has spread in eastern Ukraine, a watchdog warned, as the government in Kiev reported fresh casualties.

While fighting has decreased since a ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed rebels in mid-February, both sides accuse the other of violations.

“The geographical scope of the conflict seems to be spreading,” said Alexander Hug, deputy chief of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Oleksander Motuzyanyk, a Ukrainian military spokesman, said at least one Ukrainian soldier had been killed and eight injured in clashes with separatists. “Fighting has not died down along a broad stretch of the front line,” Mr Motuzyanyk added, referring to the west and north-east of rebel-held city of Donetsk. “The enemy is actively using heavy weapons. The area of fighting is expanding,” he said.

Reuters