One Ukrainian soldier has been killed and eight wounded in fighting with pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours.

In announcing the news on April 1, a Ukrainian military spokesman said the overall situation along the front line had "escalated."

The spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, also accused the separatists of using heavy weapons, which should have been pulled back according to the cease-fire agreement, known as Minsk II.

Lysenko said fighting was reported at many spots along the front line in the Donetsk region, but most intense around the government-controlled city of Avdiyivka and Zaitseve.

He said pro-Russia separatists had used mortars, antiaircraft systems and other weapons in the Popasna district in Luhansk region. That, Lysenko said, had forced Ukrainian authorities to suspend operations at the newly opened Zolote checkpoint.

Lysenko said Ukrainian forces had also come under fire 26 times around Mariupol, a key city on the Sea of Azov.

More than 9,100 people have been killed in the fighting in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and some 21,000 wounded since the conflict broke out in 2014.

Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS

