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A cease-fire in Ukraine has more than halved civilian casualties in the eastern region of Donbass, according to a report released Saturday.
“During September 2015, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 43 civilian casualties in the conflict zone (nine killed and 34 injured) – a more than 55 percent reduction compared to an average monthly casualty figure of 95 between February 16 and August 15,” stated a newly released report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The report noted the decrease in civilian casualties was likely due to both government forces and separatists largely respecting the cease-fire for two months.
However, the report noted ongoing civilian casualties are being caused by landmines and other explosives.
“Landmines, ERW (Explosive Remnants of War) and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) accounted for 81 percent of all civilian casualties (both killed and injured) in September,” the report said.
An internationally brokered cease-fire in Ukraine began in September, and has since been hailed as a major step towards a resolution to the country's civil war.
According to OCHA, more than 8,000 people have been killed in the fighting which started in mid-April. Hundreds of thousand of Ukrainians have also been displaced.
During the cease-fire, both sides have continued peace talks, with separatists suggesting an offer of autonomy from Kiev could be reached.
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