Separatists in the east of Ukraine have intensified their shelling of government positions ahead of peace talks expected in the coming week, the country's military officials said.

Army outposts were targeted 50 times by small arms fire, mortars and rockets.

Intensification in hostilities comes one month after a renewed truce led to a lull in the fighting that broke out in the spring.

An Associated Press reporter heard rockets being fired yesterday evening into the separatist stronghold of Donetsk - an indication that government forces are also likely breaching the ceasefire.

The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France are expected to meet on Thursday in Kazakhstan to consider solutions to the conflict.

The talks have not yet been confirmed.

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