Kiev: Fighting between the Ukrainian forces and pro-independence rebels persisted Monday around the strategic railway hub of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine, despite the announcement of a ceasefire from Saturday midnight.

Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Monday that five government soldiers were killed and 25 others wounded in attacks by pro-independence rebels in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, according to a Xinhua report. "The Ukrainian army had fired only in response when coming under attack," he said.