Putin discusses 'deterioration' in east Ukraine, Kiev denies fresh offensive

Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with Parliament members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow November 6, 2014. REUTERS/Alexander Nemenov/Pool

KIEV (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with top security chiefs on Thursday over a "deterioration of the situation" in eastern Ukraine after pro-Russian rebels there accused Kiev of launching a new offensive in violation of a ceasefire.

Sporadic violence has flared since the Sept. 5 truce in a conflict that has cost over 4,000 lives; but the ceasefire has looked particularly fragile this week with separatists and the central government accusing each other of violations.