The Ukrainian military said on April 26 that one servicemen was killed and seven wounded in attacks by Russian-backed separatist forces in the previous 24 hours.

Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said in Kyiv that the rebels who hold parts of two eastern provinces had stepped up attacks on government forces in violation of an agreement on a cease-fire and steps toward peace.

He said separatist forces were using large-caliber artillery, despite a commitment by both sides to pull such weaponry back from the front lines under the cease-fire deal signed in Minsk on February 12.

A statement from the military said that rebels near the town of Pisky in the Donetsk region had fired at government positions eight times, including four barrages using 120-millmeter shells.

It said that separatist forces had also large-caliber shells in at least two other areas.

Rebels have also accused Ukraine of violating the cease-fire.

With reporting by Reuters and UNIAN