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Heavy fighting reported in Donetsk as Ukrainian military closes in

At least two civilians in Donetsk were killed, the city council reported, amid reports on Tuesday of heavy fighting.

By JC Finley
Ukrainian paratroopers participate in military exercises near Goncharovsk village of Chernigov area in Ukraine on March 14, 2014. (UPI/Sergey Starostenko)
Ukrainian paratroopers participate in military exercises near Goncharovsk village of Chernigov area in Ukraine on March 14, 2014. (UPI/Sergey Starostenko) | License Photo

KIEV, Ukraine, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- As the Ukrainian military closes in on the rebel-stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, there were reports Tuesday of heavy fighting.

According to the Donetsk city council, at least two civilians were killed as blasts and shooting could be heard in the city.

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"As of 17:00 (14 GMT), there are active military hostilities going on in the Petrovsky district of Donetsk."

The Ukrainian military urged residents of Donetsk on Monday to evacuate in advance of a military operation to retake Donetsk, which the rebels renamed the Donetsk People's Republic. The military established humanitarian corridors to facilitate the evacuation of civilians out of the restive east.

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