International

At least 12 civilians and 5 Ukrainian troops have been killed in the past 24 hours in war-ravaged eastern Ukraine.

Full-blown fighting between Russian-backed separatists and government forces erupted anew at the start of January following a month of relative tranquility.

The city hall in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk said Friday seven people were killed and 23 wounded as the city remains under constant artillery fire.

Defense Ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said 5 Ukrainian troops have died in the past 24 hours as the Ukrainian army resists the separatist onslaught on Debaltseve, a railway hub that has been the epicenter of recent fighting. Five civilians were also killed in the fighting there, the ministry for emergencies said.