4 Ukrainian soldiers killed, 4 more wounded as fighting surges again in the Donbas

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Ukrainian servicemen drive armored vehicles during military exercises in the Donetsk region.

• Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed, and four more were wounded, on Tuesday.
• Thirteen Russian-backed separatists have been killed and 18 more wounded between October 14 and October 21.
• Fighting in the Donbass appears to be surging once again.

Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed and four wounded on Tuesday, marking the deadliest day in the Donbas in months.

Two soldiers were killed after Russian-backed separatists fired automatic grenade launchers and machine guns near the village of Verkhniotoretske outside of Mariupol, and two more were killed after stepping on land mines near Donetsk, according to Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

Four soldiers were also wounded near Mariupol and Donetsk as well, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.

Thirteen Russian-backed separatists have been killed and 18 more wounded between October 14 and October 21, according to the Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

The Harvest ceasefire in July, which was reportedly broken within the first two minutes, curbed the fighting, but it appears to be surging once again.

Nine Ukrainian soldiers have been killed thus far in October, with at least six of those happening since last week, according to Liveuamap.