KIEV, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least four government soldiers have been killed and 23 wounded in fighting over the past day in eastern Ukraine, authorities said Friday.
Andrei Lysenko, spokesman for the National Security and Defense Council, said that fierce battles are still underway in 10 towns and cities across Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
Independence-seeking insurgents on Wednesday brought down a Ukrainian military helicopter near the city of Lugansk, killing the two-member crew onboard, Lysenko said.
Heavy fighting has been raging in Ukraine's restive east regions since mid-April, when the government troops launched offensives to regain control over rebels-seized cities and towns.
The conflict has left over 600 government soldiers dead and more than 2,000 others wounded.
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