Updated

Ukrainian officials say seven soldiers have been killed over the past day in rebellious eastern Ukraine.

National Security Council head Oleksander Turchynov said Tuesday nine others have been wounded.

The numbers were confirmed by Oleksander Motuzyanik, spokesman for the Ukrainian forces' operations in the east.

They didn't immediately provide any more details.

Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine for two years and more than 9,300 people have been killed.

Full-scale battles have subsided, but clashes remain frequent. Both sides accuse the other of violating a cease-fire agreement reached more than a year ago.