Four Ukrainian servicemen have been killed since the start of a ceasefire between government forces and pro-Russian activists last Friday, Reuters reported Tuesday, Sept 9 citing Interfax news agency.

The head of the ministry's military-medical department, Vitaly Andronaty, said 29 servicemen had been injured during the ceasefire.

The ceasefire, part of a wider peace plan approved by envoys in Minsk, has largely held across eastern Ukraine but some areas, especially in the industrial hub of Donetsk and near the port city of Mariupol, have seen sporadic shelling and gunfire.

One woman was killed and at least four other civilians were injured overnight into Sunday when government forces came under prolonged shelling to the east of Mariupol.