At least 9 Ukrainian soldiers die in clashes in east

At least 9 Ukrainian soldiers die in clashes in east

DONETSK, LUGANSK -- At least nin Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 20 others were wounded last night in two attacks of pro-Russian rebels in the east of Ukraine.

The clashes occurred about 20 kilometers south of Donetsk, where pro-Russian forces declared the People's Republic of Donetsk after a referendum held earlier this month.

Ukrainian forces last night also clashed with pro-Russian forces in the neighboring Lugansk area.

As reported by international agencies, Lugansk declared a state of emergency and announced a general mobilization of men aged 18-45, while the region remains in a state of alert due to a large-scale invasion of Kiev's military, the press service of the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Lugansk said.

The statement added that armed clashes were in progress between Lugansk forces and the Ukrainian National Guard near several cities, Itar-Tass reported.

A source in the regional interior ministry told the news agency earlier that fighting was taking place near the cities Rubezhnoi and Lisichansk.

There were wounded among the Lugansk soldiers, he said, but did not specify how many. A Lugansk military source said late last night that pro-Kiev forces had launched a large-scale offensive in the region.