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Ukraine says two soldiers killed in separatists shelling

Kremlin on Saturday said that Russia has hit sea and land-based targets with ballistic and cruise missiles as part of strategic nuclear exercises overseen by President Vladimir Putin.The annual exercises featured launches of Kinzhal and Tsirkon hypersonic missiles and a number of other weapons.”All the missiles hit their targets, confirming their performance objectives”, a statement said, adding that the drills included Tu-95 bombers as well as submarines.

The Ukrainian military said two soldiers were killed and four wounded in shelling by pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine on Saturday, where a flare up of violence this week has sparked fears it could be the trigger for Russian military action. The Ukrainian military said on its Facebook page it had recorded 70 ceasefire violations by separatists since the start of the day compared with 66 cases over the previous 24 hours.