Two killed in Ukraine clashes

Fighting in eastern Ukraine killed at least two people and wounded five over the past 24 hours, authorities said Friday.

"The latest data showed an increase in the intensity of the reconnaissance, sabotage actions and shelling against government forces," Xinhua quoted Andrei Lysenko, spokesperson for the National Security and Defense Council, as saying.

Lysenko said that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and four others wounded during an attack on Ukrainian positions in Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Another victim was a civilian killed by a shell in Donetsk city, Lysenko said, adding that internal squabbles in the rebel camp led to the death.

"Yesterday in Donetsk, fighters from various armed groups exchanged artillery fire, killing a civilian and wounding another with shrapnel," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the rebel army accused the Ukrainian government troops of violating the truce agreement 12 times over the past 24 hours and shelling in Donetsk.

The rebel army, however, gave no details on insurgent casualties in the past day.

Ukraine started its military operation against independence-seeking insurgents in mid-April to regain control over the seized cities and towns in eastern parts of the country.

The armed conflict has claimed at least 3,660 lives and wounded more than 8,750 people, according to the latest UN estimations.