Ukrainian military officials say that seven of its soldiers have been injured in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours.

Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said on June 20 that no soldiers had been killed in fighting that was particularly intense near the separatist-held city of Donetsk and Maryinka, which is controlled by the government.

Lysenko said the Russian-backed rebel forces had provoked two battles in an attempt to move closer to Maryinka.

He accused the separatist forces of using heavy weapons in the assault, including 120-millimeter mortars and 122-millimeter artillery and armor.

Lysenko said fighting had decreased in areas near the southern port city of Mariupol.

Rebel officials also accused Ukrainian forces of shelling positions in areas under their control, in violation of a peace agreement signed in February in Minsk.

More than 6,400 people have been killed in the fighting since April 2014.

Based on reporting by Interfax