Fresh comments on today's "Day Of Silence" and the prospect of cease-fire talks, from our newsroom:
A Ukrainian military spokesman said on December 9 that government forces have "suspended all combat actions and are ready for the Day of Silence."
The spokesman added that "if separatists attack, we will fire in response."
The pro-Russian separatists who hold parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk provinces have said they would also comply.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced the September 9 truce plan, saying it was included in a cease-fire deal signed in Minsk on September 5.
He said a new round of peace talks would probably be held on December 9, but several offocials and separatist leaders have said they are likely to be held later in the week, probably on December 12.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the talks would be held "in the coming days."
Based on reporting by Reuters and RIA Novosti
Our Ukrainian Service quotes Ukrainian military officials saying separatist forces launched 64 attacks on the eve of the "Day of Silence," killing at least two people and injuring 10 noncombatants.
Pro-Kyiv military blogger Dmitry Tymchuk says "two consolidated...tactical group[s]" of "Russian troops and Russian mercenaries" have arrived in Donetsk in "recent days."
The Minsk talks are indeed delayed, it appears.