One Ukrainian Serviceman Killed, Two Wounded Near Mariupol

One Ukrainian serviceman has been killed and two wounded in shelling by pro-Russian separatists near the port of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine.

Reuters quoted a military spokesman as saying the serviceman was killed on April 25 in Shyrokyne, a strategic village on the outskirts of the port city of Mariupol.

Interfax also reported fighting taking place in Shyrokyne and that two Ukrainian servicemen had been injured.

Interfax said the exchange began at 6:20 a.m. and that the servicemen said they were successfully holding their positions.

Earlier this month, the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine identified Shyrokyne as one of the areas where it had seen an increase in cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine in recent days.

In February, Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists agreed to a European-brokered cease-fire agreement.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax