Five more Ukrainian soldiers killed in east in past 24 hours - Kiev military

A tank of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic is seen near Yenakiieve, Donetsk region, February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

KIEV (Reuters) - Five more Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in fighting with Russian-backed separatists in the past 24 hours, a military spokesman said on Thursday.

The fresh casualties were announced as separatists continued attacks on Debaltseve, a key rail hub northeast of the big city of Donetsk which government troops are holding despite strong pressure from the rebels.