Ominous signs in fight for eastern Ukraine

DONETSK, Ukraine - The truce in eastern Ukraine between the government in Kiev and pro-Russian rebels continues to show signs of being disregarded by both sides in the protracted crisis gripping the country.

In addition to a deadly attack on civilians Wednesday, numerous reports indicate the airport in Donetsk is currently the scene of a hotly contested battle between the two sides. Social media posts indicate the air traffic control tower has been destroyed.

Although Donetsk the city has been under rebel control for some time, the airport has been under the control of government forces. It has been the scene of intense fighting since the rebellion in eastern Ukraine broke out last year.

A bus driving near an army checkpoint in eastern Ukraine was hit by a rebel shell, killing at least 10 civilians and wounding a further 13, local officials said.

The Donetsk regional administration, which answers to the central government in Kiev, said in a statement that the rebels shelled the checkpoint near the town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region while the passenger bus was passing through it.

The press office for military operations in the east said the rockets appeared to have been fired from a Grad multiple rocket launcher.

The Russian news agency Tass cited rebel officials as denying they were responsible for the attack and saying the accusation was "disinformation."

Civilian losses of life have occurred on a regular basis since fighting broke out in spring between government forces and Russian-backed militia in the east. The U.N. estimates more than 4,700 people have died as a result of the conflict.

Hostilities have intensified in recent days, jeopardizing hopes for a peace deal.

Separatists and Ukrainian forces have traded accusations of violating a truce that had been in place since early December.