Six Ukraine soldiers killed in rebel ambush: ministry

Six Ukrainian soldiers were killed in a rebel ambush in the restive east of the country on Tuesday, the defence ministry said, one of the deadliest days for the military since the start of an uprising in the region against Kiev’s rule.

A military convoy was attacked near a river in a village between the rebel bastions of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk by a group of about 30 men who fired heavy weapons including grenade launchers, the ministry said.

The troops responded, triggering “prolonged clashes” that left six soldiers dead and eight wounded, it said.