Five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and nine wounded as a result of an offensive by pro-Russian separatists over the weekend, the Ukrainian military said on Monday - the deadliest fighting in eastern regions since mid-December

Kiev military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk and Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak said the clashes occurred January 29 near Avdiyivka, a town north of the regional centre Donetsk.

The town is home to a major coke producing plant and a steel smelter.

Motuzyanyk sai...