KIEV, October 4 (RIA Novosti) - Two children have been killed and five wounded as a result of a shell burst in Zuhres, Donetsk Region, the state administration of the region said Saturday.
"The tragedy happened on Friday evening. Seven schoolchildren found an unburst shell. As they tried to move it, the weapon exploded; two children died on the spot," the administration stated.
According to the source, five other children were wounded, being taken to hospitals in Khartsyzk and Makiivka.
In April, Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation in the country's southeast, where independence supporters refused to accept the new government that was put in power following a coup in February.
The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics in eastern Ukraine held referendums this May on self-determination. Over 90 percent of the voters cast their votes for greater autonomy. The republics declared themselves sovereign states as a result.
On September 5, a truce was brokered by Russia and the OSCE, which is for the most part maintained. However, the sides blame one another for violating it. Reports from DPR claim that the Ukrainian forces are firing shells at residential buildings from the area near the airport of Donetsk, thus forcing the independence supporters to open fire.
According to UN estimates, the conflict has so far killed over 3,600 people and injured over 8,500.