At least 50 people were reported killed in the last 24 hours, including 16 in a devastating rocket attack on Kramatorsk, the Ukrainian Government’s eastern military headquarters and administrative hub.
In the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, city officials said that 11 people had been killed, including nine in a mortar strike on the city early Wednesday. Rebels, who rarely announce military casualties, said they had lost seven fighters. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany were to hold peace talks on Wednesday aimed at halting a 10-month war in Ukraine where dozens were killed in the latest fighting.