Six Ukrainian Soldiers Killed in Clashes With Rebels

Ukraine's defense minister said six soldiers have been killed in clashes with Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine. Andriy Lysenko told reporters Tuesday six soldiers were killed and 12 wounded during a 24-hour period in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk. The Associated Press reported the rebels said one of their fighters died and five were wounded in the violence. On Monday, Russia and Ukraine agreed to pull back small caliber weapons from the front lines in eastern Ukraine, and continue withdrawing heavy weapons. The Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers met in Berlin with their French and German counterparts. Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the Russians and Ukrainians are now committed to pull back tanks, armored vehicles and mortars along with the heavy weapons that already were part of the cease-fire. They also agreed to set up working groups to discuss such issues as prisoner exchanges and economic matters. "Nothing is easy in the Ukraine crisis," Steinmeier said Monday. "During these talks today, the differences of opinion between Kiyv and Moscow also became clear once again." Despite a surge in violence during the past several days, the cease-fire between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists is generally holding. Russia denies charges by the Ukrainians and Western monitors that it has sent weapons and soldiers across the border into eastern Ukraine. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.



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