Ukraine cease-fire teeters on isolated town

A cease-fire forged by European leaders last week was reportedly in jeopardy Monday as Russian-backed rebels clashed with Ukrainian forces.

Last week, Ukraine and Russia agreed to a cease-fire that would have created a demilitarized zone along the front in Eastern Ukraine, where the fighting has been taking place.

{mosads}But the pro-Russian rebels said that they would not observe the cease-fire in the town of Debaltseve, where they have surrounded Ukrainian forces. Separatists continued to shell the town relentlessly, according to Reuters, and armored vehicles were seen in the area.

Debaltseve is reportedly cut off from other Ukrainian forces, something the government in Kiev denies.

The Ukrainian military said that at least five of its soldiers had been killed and 25 wounded since the cease-fire took effect early on Sunday, The Guardian reported.

A rebel leader said that they would observe the cease-fire everywhere except for the town.

The European Union also placed new sanctions Monday on individuals who are “undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”

The cease-fire was hailed last week as a hard-fought step toward peace in the country.

Under the agreement, which was reached after marathon negotiations, rebel forces and the Ukrainian military would stop the clashes on the front and then withdraw their heavy weapons. Ukraine was also to receive control of its border with Russia under the agreement, on the condition that the separatist regions were given more power.