Separatists say 15 people killed in clashes in east Ukraine: Report

Kiev: A senior rebel commander said around 15 fighters and civilians had been killed as a result of clashes between Ukrainian government forces and separatists near rebel-controlled Donetsk on Wednesday, separatist press service DAN reported.

"At the moment around fifteen people have been killed, these are the Donetsk People`s Republic`s losses," rebel military official Vladimir Kononov was quoted as telling journalists in Donetsk. The report could not be independently verified.

Earlier, Ukraine`s defence minister said an attempt by pro-Russian separatists to advance on Ukrainian troop positions near the town of Maryinka west of Donetsk had been halted for now. Rebels denied launching an offensive.