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Fighting in Ukraine continues overnight ahead of crucial diplomatic push

Associated Press
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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, second left, examines an unexploded rocket in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, early Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. Fighting intensified Tuesday in eastern Ukraine as pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian troops sought to extend their gains ahead of crucial peace talks, and the government accused pro-Russia rebels of shelling a town far behind the front lines, killing a dozen people and wounding scores.(AP Photo/Mikhail Palinchak, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, left, talks with a wounded victim of an artillery strike in a Kramatorsk hospital, Donetsk region, Ukraine, early Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. Fighting intensified Tuesday in eastern Ukraine as pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian troops sought to extend their gains ahead of crucial peace talks, and the government accused pro-Russia rebels of shelling a town far behind the front lines, killing a dozen people and wounding scores. (AP Photo/Mikhail Palinchak, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, fourth left, examines an unexploded rocket in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, early Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. Fighting intensified Tuesday in eastern Ukraine as pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian troops sought to extend their gains ahead of crucial peace talks, and the government accused pro-Russia rebels of shelling a town far behind the front lines, killing a dozen people and wounding scores.(AP Photo/Mikhail Palinchak, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Fighting is continuing to rage in eastern Ukraine ahead of crucial peace talks later in the day.

Shelling early Wednesday rocked a bus station in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, where an Associated Press reporter saw one body at a bus station and was told by rebel officials that another body had been recently removed from the scene. Donetsk city officials said in a statement that three people had been killed overnight.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko posted a statement on his website saying that he had made an impromptu visit to the war-torn region early Wednesday.

"We demand an unconditional peace," Poroshenko said. "We demand a cease-fire, a withdrawal of all foreign troops, and closing of the border. ... We will find a compromise within the country."