Fighting intensifies in Eastern Ukraine a day after a four-nation cease fire deal

Ukrainian military officials say eight soldiers have been killed and 34 wounded in fighting in east Ukraine in the past day.

Military officials say the fighting was particularly intense around Debaltseve, a key transport hub that has been hotly contested in recent days.

The fighting is intense despite a four-nation cease-fire deal that was reached yesterday and has not taken effect.

The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France signed the deal in the Belarussian capital, Minsk, after 16 hours of talks.

They announced a pullback of forces near the Russian border, an exchange of prisoners, and a cease-fire set to begin on Sunday.

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon praised the efforts of the four leaders to end the uprising in eastern Ukraine, saying he expects the truce deal to be honoured by all parties.

VOA