A Ukrainian soldier has been killed by fire from Russia-backed separatists near the Donetsk airport, Ukrainian officials say.

The soldier was killed on October 26, military spokesman Oleksandr Zavtonov was quoted as saying on October 27.

It is the first reported Ukrainian military death since mid-October, as the fragile cease-fire negotiated in Minsk in February has generally held.

On October 26, a spokesman for the separatists accused the Ukrainian military of launching an attack on the airport. Officials in Kyiv denied that claim.

AFP reported that local residents said they heard heavy firing in the area of the airport overnight.

More than 8,000 people have been killed in the fighting in eastern Ukraine over the last 18 months.

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax