Ukraine says pro-Russian separatists kill 5 troops

By Ali Cura

KIEV, Ukraine

Five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 14 others injured in the last 24 hours in attacks launched by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, a security official said Monday.

"Unfortunately, five Ukrainian soldiers lost their lives and 14 others were injured during the operations in the last 24 hours," said Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, defense ministry spokesman for the Anti-Terrorist Operation-related issues.

Motuzyanyk added the situation remained tense in Avdiyivka's industrial zone, where pro-Russian separatists also shelled residential areas, injuring two civilians.

Fifteen separatists were killed and 24 others wounded during the operation, he added.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since April 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Crimea was formally annexed by Moscow in March 2014 after an illegal independence vote on the heels of violent anti-government protests which led to the overthrow of the then-President Victor Yanukovich.

The UN General Assembly had voted nearly unanimously to proclaim the Russian annexation as illegal.

Along with many UN countries, the U.S., the EU, and Turkey also do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia separatists has seen more than 9,600 killed, according to the UN.