At least five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in clashes with pro-Russian separatists, in one of the deadliest days of fighting since July, an army spokesperson has said.<br /><br /> According to officials, six soldiers were injured in the battle near Svitlodarsk in the east of the country. However, local volunteers are reporting the number of wounded could be higher.<br /><br /> The fighting lasted for two hours around the village of Kalinovka, near Debaltseve.<br /><br /> The city which lies on a vital railway junction was the scene of some of the fiercest battles between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in 2015, before a ceasefire was brokered, known as the Minsk agreement.<br /><br /> It comes as NATO countries and Russia are meeting in Brussels to discuss the conflict in east Ukraine. The NATO-Russia Council is convening for the third time this year with the crisis in Ukraine a top priority for Washington and Brussels.<br />
