RFE/RLMon, 26 Dec 2016 16:23 UTC
© TASSThe latest truce came after a battle for control of Debaltseve, which sits on a key railway junction in eastern Ukraine
A new cease-fire negotiated between Ukraine's government and Russia-backed separatists in the east held by a thread for a third day as both sides reported clashes near the strategic town of Debaltseve.
The two sides agreed to the so-called "indefinite" cease-fire last week, with the help of mediation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the agreement reached on December 21 was a sign that his war-weary nation is on a road to lasting peace
after nine previously negotiated cease-fires came unraveled.
Mortar and artillery fire has continued without any casualties.
"Our positions have come under attack
33 times since early Sunday," the Ukrainian military said in a statement.
Russian-backed separatists said their side had come under fire from Ukrainian grenade launchers
62 times in the past day.
The truce came after a battle for control of Debaltseve, which sits on a key rail link between the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The two sides agreed to a similar holiday truce last year. It lasted for several weeks before fighting slowly resumed.
As of December 1, the UN's "conservative estimate" of the death toll among civilians and combatants since the conflict erupted in April 2014 is 9,758, with another 22,779 people injured.
Comment: Another shameful legacy of the Obama admin. More
details on the results of this current "ceasefire":
The number of casualties in the Nazi Kiev offensive in Debaltsevo area has rose to 50 killed and 100 wounded Ukrainian Junta soldiers, said LPR People's Army command chief Colonel Oleg Anaschenko.
"We are aware of more than 50 killed and approximately 100 wounded Nazi Kiev fighters but Ukrainian defense ministry still lies saying there are only six dead and 19 injured soldiers."
"We are also aware that the death toll could have been lower if the nazi Ukrainian command evacuated their wounded soldiers timely," he said.
Six LPR soldiers died in wake of Kiev's attack, seven sustained injuries. They were taken to hospitals and their lives are out of danger. Two servicemen are still unaccounted for.
A heavy fighting erupted on December 18 in vicinity of Debaltsevo as Nazi Ukrainian armed forces attacked LPR positions in Debaltsevo area. As of December 21, Ukrainian Junta casualties amounted to 40 killed and 50 wounded. Four LPR soldiers died and five were injured. The situation in the area remains tense.
Comment: Another shameful legacy of the Obama admin. More details on the results of this current "ceasefire":