Three soldiers killed as Ukraine marks Orthodox Christmas

KIEV (Reuters) - Three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in attacks by Russian-backed separatists in the past 24 hours, Kiev's military said on Wednesday, in fresh violation of a ceasefire regularly flouted since it was announced in September.

The deaths, which came as both Ukraine and Russia celebrated Eastern Orthodox Christmas, also coincided with fresh diplomatic efforts to organise a summit in Kazakhstan next week in an attempt to restore peace in eastern Ukraine.