Russian-backed separatists in east Ukraine said Friday that they will continue to fight for more territory and will refuse to consider any new cease-fire proposals.
Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said rebel fighters are advancing in five directions to push back Ukrainian government forces to the limits of the eastern Donetsk region.
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The civilian death toll has been mounting steadily in the conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists that the United Nations says has killed more than 4,700 people since April.