Locals used as human shields in Ukraine fights

While the Ukrainian government struggles to keep attacks to a minimum due to the forthcoming presidential election, fights going on in the East continue to make more victims as 9 soldiers were killed in the overnight clash.

An armored military vehicle was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars in the Donetsk region. A second attack targeted another military convoy in the Luhansk area.

The ministry reported that 'terrorists' used 'civilian provocateurs' who were blocking a bridge as human shields to protect themselves when they opened fire upon the military convoy.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk claims the government has proof that Russia stands behind the separatists' actions: 'We will provide evidence that it is Russia trying to escalate the conflict, attempts to seize Ukrainian state border checkpoints and scuttle the presidential election.'

With Sunday's presidential election nearing, 13 out of the 34 local election comissions in the Dontesk and Luhansk regions have been 'blocked' by pro-Russian in an attempt to prevent people from voting.