Ukraine said seven government soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours in clashes with pro-Russia separatists in the country's east, making July the deadliest month for the Ukrainian military in nearly a year.
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said another 14 soldiers were also wounded.
It is the highest daily death toll since Ukraine reported seven of its soldiers killed on May 24.
The surge of violence recently comes in spite of an 18-month-old peace deal known as the Minsk agreement, which imposed a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.
Lysenko said the pro-Russia separatists had been firing high-caliber mortars at government positions. He said hot spots included the separatist-controlled town of Horlivka and the outskirts of separatist-controlled eastern Luhansk region.
"On average every attack lasts for at least thirty minutes and can last for up to two hours. That's how it was yesterday," Lysenko said.
Separatist leaders have accused Ukrainian troops of intensifying shelling on separatist-held territory.
