A Ukrainian military spokesman says pro-Russian separatists fired on Ukrainian positions repeatedly in the overnight hours, despite a cease-fire that came into effect five days ago.

Anatoliy Stelmakh said Friday the rebels have been concentrating their attacks in the vicinity of Donetsk, shelling the village of Kurakhove to the west. He also said the village of Berdyansk, near the port city of Mariupol, was hit by artillery and mortar fire during the night.

There were separate reports of fighting near Mariupol on Thursday, with the rebels shelling the village of Shyrokyne.

Mariupol, the main seaport in eastern Ukraine, was the scene of intense fighting last year before Ukrainian forces took control of the city.

On Thursday, the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany pledged renewed support for the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine. The four leaders, who negotiated the truce, condemned the fighting and urged both sides to observe the cease-fire, which has seen a series of violations.

The pro-Russian separatists are fresh off a victory over Ukrainian forces at the railway hub of Debaltseve. 

The separatists, including many Cossack fighters, celebrated on Thursday the retreat of Ukrainian forces from Debaltseve, as Ukrainian military officials reported the deaths of at least 134 retreating soldiers.  

Officials said more than 90 others were captured with dozens of others unaccounted for.

Asked to describe post-withdrawal conditions in Debaltseve, another Ukrainian military spokesman compared the devastated town to the lifeless surface of the moon. 

Andriy Lysenko, speaking to Ukraine’s Channel 5 television, said Debaltseve had, in his words, “ceased to exist as significant to the region,” after shelling devastated the once-thriving town of 27,000. Associated Press reporters in the town reported all neighborhoods were under the control of rebel fighters.

White House officials in Washington said Wednesday it is “crystal clear” that Russia and the separatists in eastern Ukraine are not living up to the cease-fire agreement, and warned this puts them “at risk of greater costs.”
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