Ukraine rebels disavow ceasefire at encircled town

A dog is seen near a destroyed house after today's shelling in Popasna, eastern Ukraine February 15, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

DONETSK/ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine's rebels disavowed a new truce on Sunday hours after it took effect, saying it did not apply to the town where most fighting has taken place in recent weeks.

Guns fell abruptly silent at midnight across much of eastern Ukraine in line with the ceasefire agreement, reached after a week of diplomacy led by France and Germany.