5 killed and 22 injured by Ukrainian artillery in Donetsk, pro-Russia separatists say

Pro-Russia separatists say at least five people were killed in Donetsk by Ukrainian artillery strikes, but there was no independent confirmation of any of the attacks.

At least five people were killed on Monday in the Russian-backed separatist Ukrainian region of Donetsk in what separatist officials said has been an upsurge in Ukrainian shelling.

Separatist officials and Russian news agencies reported several Ukrainian artillery strikes, including on a market. Russian news agencies later reported a shell had fallen on a maternity hospital in the city of Donetsk, triggering a fire and prompting staff to send patients into the basement.

There was no independent confirmation of any of the attacks and Reuters could not ascertain whether they had taken place. There has been no immediate reaction from Kyiv to the reports.

Russia’s state TASS news agency said separatist officials had reported five dead. Donetsk’s separatist leader Denis Pushilin pledged to mobilize more Russian forces to counter Ukraine.

Russian agencies reported that a child was among those killed and that at least 22 people were injured. On Monday evening, citing a Russian correspondent, they reported the shelling of the maternity hospital.

“Thanks to the quick action of staff, there were no injuries,” RIA news agency said.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said officials had seen reports of the hospital attack.

“This is extremely troubling,” Dujarric said. “Any attack on civilian infrastructure, especially health facilities, is a clear violation of international law.”