Heavy fighting has continued between Ukrainian government troops and rebels in the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. The fighting has centred on the government-held airport. On Monday, Donetsk city council said in an online statement that at least three civilians were killed and five others wounded in overnight shelling of a residential area in the city’s north, where the airport is located. Officials said at least 12 people have been killed and 32 wounded in more than a week, as fighting goes on despite a cease-fire declared on September 5th.
Meanwhile, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that nearly 300,000 people have been displaced in Ukraine, with more than 5 million people living in conflict-affected areas. Dujarric said there is significant humanitarian needs in areas under the control of armed groups. Items such as winter clothing, shoes, medicine, and food are in short supply. He said some areas have only limited or no access to drinking water, and diesel generators are needed to power water pumps and treatment units.