Ukraine says one of its soldiers has been killed and two others wounded in clashes in the country’s east despite a fresh ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists.

The Defense Ministry said on January 2 that separatist fighters violated a ceasefire three times on January 1 by firing guns, grenade launchers and mortars.

It said Ukrainian government forces returned fire, killing one separatist and wounding four others.