KIEV, Ukraine (AP) – At least 22 civilians were killed Tuesday by shelling in two conflict-stricken cities in eastern Ukraine, local authorities said.
The use of unguided rockets in fighting between government forces and pro-Russian separatist rebels has been taking a noticeably heavier toll in recent weeks and been criticized by rights groups.
With turmoil raging across a wide swathe of the region, international investigators were again prevented Tuesday from visiting the site of the Malaysia Airlines jet shot down earlier this month.
City hall in Luhansk, which is controlled by separatist rebels, said Tuesday that five people were killed when an old people’s home was struck by artillery fire. Russian television showed images of bodies in wheelchairs covered with blankets.
Ukraine security spokesman Andriy Lysenko said that rebels had blocked the railroad out of Luhansk, barring residents from leaving the city.