4,707 people killed in Ukraine conflict: UN

PanARMENIAN.Net - Around 1,300 people have been killed in Ukraine since a September ceasefire, a UN report said, according to Reuters.

As of Dec 12, 4,707 combatants and civilians had been killed since pro-Russian militias seized eastern regions near the border with Russia in April.

Of these deaths, 1,357, or nearly 30 percent, were recorded after the Sept 5 truce, some of which may have occurred prior to that date, the report released on Monday, Dec 15 said.

"The conflict is in its ninth month and the situation is becoming increasingly dire for the population still living in the east," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement.

The central government in Kiev has severed financial ties with the separatist territories, cutting off pensions and welfare payments due to fears that the funds would end up financing rebel military operations.

"The situation of many people, including those held against their will, in areas under the control of the armed groups may well be life-threatening," Zeid said.