Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have rejected a previously signed peace deal and announced a new multi-pronged offensive against Ukrainian troops.

The main separatist leader in the Donetsk region said the insurgents won't join further peace talks and another rebel went even further saying they will not abide by a peace deal signed in September.

Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko said rebel fighters launched a new offensive to forestall a Ukrainian attack and will push the government troops to the border of the Donetsk region and possibly even further.

The peace deal signed in September envisaged a ceasefire and a pullout of heavy weapons from a division line in eastern Ukraine. Envoys from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany agreed this week to revive that division line, but fighting has continued.

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