Ukrainian rebels say they have agreed to a take part in further peace talks in Donetsk on Friday.<br /><br /> It comes as a ceasefire declared by the Ukrainian government was due to expire on Thursday.<br /><br /> Both the rebels and the government accuse each other of breaking the ceasefire.<br /><br /> Heavy shelling overnight on Wednesday in Slovyansk destroyed houses, and electricity shortages cut off water supplies for many.<br /><br /> One woman whose house was damaged said: “In our neighbourhood there has been shooting for about a week. This is the third time that it has been so bad. Yesterday it was very bad. It was very close. We were all sitting here.”<br /><br /> Eighteen people have been killed since the ceasefire was declared last Friday<br /><br /> Ukraine’s prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said the country was facing a new type of conflict.<br /><br /> “The situation in the country is too difficult. Unplanned billions are being spent on ensuring the territorial integrity of Ukraine as a state. There is a new form of war being waged against us,” he said.<br /><br /> Public pressure is growing in Ukraine for a response to the downing of a military helicopter on Tuesday which killed nine soldiers.
