THE Kiev government and anti-fascist fighters in eastern Ukraine traded accusations of violating the Minsk ceasefire today.

But international observers said the ceasefire was largely holding up despite intense artillery exchanges around the strategic town of Debaltseve.

The continuing fighting threatens the deal struck by European leaders last week.

Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe spokesman Michael Bociurkiw admitted that it had been denied access to Debaltseve.

Rebel military spokesman Eduard Basurin insisted that the government had launched an artillery strike overnight on Horlivka, which is under rebel control while Kiev blamed the bombardment on the rebels.

Donetsk regional police chief Vyacheslav Abroskin claimed that the separatists had shelled the town that they themselves controlled in order to derail the truce.

And Kiev Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin claimed that his forces had come under fire over 100 times in the last 24 hours.

Kiev said that there was “no question” of its troops pulling back heavy weapons, as required under the truce agreed last week.

The warring sides were to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line tomorrow, but neither says they are satisfied that conditions are in place for the process to go ahead.

But, speaking at a press conference in Sofia, Mr Klimkin insisted “we are fully committed to adhering to the Minsk agreements.

“What is necessary now is a stopping of the fire and a start of the exchange of prisoners so that humanitarian aid can get to the people and they receive at least medications and foodstuffs and we can start the political process again,” he said.

Meanwhile the European Union published a new list of Ukrainians and Russians targeted by sanctions.

The list included Russian First Deputy Defence Minister Arkady Bakhin.

The additions bring the total of individuals hit with a travel ban and asset freeze to 151 while 37 organisations are being hit by restrictive measures.