Three civilians and one Ukrainian soldier have been killed over the past day in renewed fighting in the east of the country, Kiev said on Saturday.

Three civilians and one Ukrainian soldier have been killed over the past day in renewed fighting in the east of the country, Kiev said on Saturday.

The civilians were killed when the pro-Russian rebels fired on the town of Avdiivka, held by Kiev troops, the interior ministry said, while the army said a soldier died in the neighboring region of Lugansk.

"The situation has significantly deteriorated in the conflict zone over the past 24 hours," the army said in a statement.

For their part, the rebels accused government troops of firing on towns they control in the region.

More than 6,500 people have been killed since clashes between the two sides erupted in April 2014 and a February truce agreement has failed to stop the fighting.