Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia yesterday of violating peace agreements and vowed a tough response after two soldiers were killed in the war-torn east.

The two servicemen died as a result of artillery shelling near the village of Novoluganske, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of the main separatist stronghold of Donetsk, Zelensky’s office said in a statement. The use of heavy weaponry is banned under the terms of a peace deal. Another eight Ukrainian soldiers were injured.

Zelensky, a former comedian who crushed predecessor Petro Poroshenko in April’s election, claimed that the new flare-up meant Russia was losing its grip on separatists, who Kiev says receive military support from Moscow.