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KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's army says two soldiers have died in renewed bouts of fighting in the east, where skirmishes between government and separatist forces are increasing and intensifying despite a February peace deal.
Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, military spokesman for the Ukrainian presidential administration, insisted Monday that government troops are abiding by a cease-fire agreement not to deploy heavy weapons on the front line. Rebels accuse Kiev-led fighters of initiating all hostilities.
Unrest is centered around the separatist stronghold of Donetsk and on the Black Sea coastal town of Shyrokyne. International observers have said their efforts to monitor the extent to which cease-fire requirements are being upheld have been derailed by intense fighting.
A meeting of representatives from the warring sides is scheduled to take place Wednesday in Belarus.
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