Ukraine death toll may be far higher than known 5,000 - U.N.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a forum dedicated to the civil society in Moscow, January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Alexei Nikolsky/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

GENEVA (Reuters) - The known death toll in the Ukraine conflict that began last April now exceeds 5,000 and may be far higher, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday.

Fighting has intensified over the past 10 days with the leader of pro-Russian separatists quoted on Friday as saying they would pursue a military offensive in Ukraine's east and not initiate ceasefire talks with the Kiev government.