KIEV, Aug. 27 - Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels on Thursday reported the death of eight people in fresh clashes that endanger nascent talks on a new truce agreement for the war-torn separatist east.

Government spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said seven Ukrainian servicemen had been killed and 13 injured in fighting that centered mostly around Donetsk, AFP reported.

"For the first time in several days, the enemy has resumed using artillery rockets," Motuzyanyk told reporters in Kiev.