Cease-fire holds in east Ukraine

BALINT SZLANKO
Associated Press

DOVHENKE, Ukraine (AP) — A cease-fire between pro-Russian separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine appears to be largely holding a day after rebel leaders agreed to a temporary truce with authorities in Kiev.

Vladislav Seleznev, a spokesman for Ukraine’s operation in the east, said rebel forces attacked a Ukrainian base north of Slovyansk late Monday, but there had been no fighting overnight.

Some soldiers at a government-controlled checkpoint in Dovhenko, 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk, were seen relaxing near the barricades on Tuesday, while others engaged in shooting drills nearby.

On Monday, leaders of the pro-Russian insurgency announced that they would respect a cease-fire declared by the Ukrainian president last week, raising hopes for an end to months of fighting that have killed hundreds.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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