Ukraine embarks on "day of silence" in new effort to forge permanent cease-fire in the east

Workers clear away the rubble outside an apartment building in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. Government troops and Russian-backed separatists largely suspended hostilities in east Ukraine Tuesday in a fresh attempt to revive a largely ignored cease-fire deal. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko) (The Associated Press)

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A man walks past a mortar impact site outside a damaged building in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. Government troops and Russian-backed separatists largely suspended hostilities in east Ukraine Tuesday in a fresh attempt to revive a largely ignored cease-fire deal. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko) (The Associated Press)

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko is seen in a meeting with Singapore's President Tony Tan, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 at the Istana or Presidential Palace in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E) (The Associated Press)

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine's military authorities say they are suspending hostilities against Russian-backed separatists in the east in line with a truce declared last week.

Military spokesmen said Tuesday that they are acting in accord with a "day of silence" proposed by President Petro Poroshenko.

The halting of hostilities marks a new effort at reviving a September cease-fire that has been violated daily. Authorities in Kiev say the truce could lay the foundation for longer-term peace.

Separatist rebel leaders say they have agreed to the terms of the "day of silence."

Sustained rocket attacks were being carried out in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions until Monday. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that government-controlled residential areas and armed positions had come under fire 64 times over the previous 24-hour period.