Ukraine soldier killed by separatists as tensions with Russia soar

The soldier's death came over a week after Russia and Ukraine agreed to restore a ceasefire.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has so far left more than 13,000 dead.
Reuters Archive

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has so far left more than 13,000 dead.

A Ukrainian soldier has been killed in fighting with pro-Moscow separatists, as the US again warned Russia against any attacks on the country.

"One serviceman of the Joint Forces was fatally wounded," the Ukrainian army said in a statement, adding that separatists had launched three attacks within 24 hours.

The separatists reportedly used grenade launchers and small arms. The army gave no further details of how the soldier was killed.

In his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ending the war in the east remains his "main goal".

Kiev has been battling a pro-Moscow uprising in two breakaway regions bordering Russia since 2014, when the Kremlin annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.

READ MORE: Ukraine soldier killed in clashes with pro-Russian separatists

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Chronic tensions

Tensions with Moscow have soared in recent months, with Russia massing troops near Ukraine's borders.

The West has accused the Kremlin of planning an invasion.

This week, Biden held his second phone call with Putin in just over three weeks, threatening Moscow with major economic sanctions should it launch an attack.

The Russian leader said anti-Moscow sanctions would be a "colossal mistake".

READ MORE: Russia sees 'positive' US reply over security proposals, Ukraine tension

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Crumbling ceasefires

On December 22 international monitors said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to restore a ceasefire, but as early as the next day Kiev and separatists accused each other of new violations.

The soldier's death on Saturday was the first since the truce was agreed.

All previous ceasefires, including the previous truce agreed in July 2020, crumbled.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has so far left more than 13,000 dead.

READ MORE: Russia returns thousands of troops to base after drills near Ukraine

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