Revealed: how Ukraine conflict has claimed 5,000 lives

With a UN report on Friday showing the conflict in eastern Ukraine has claimed 5,000 lives, we look at how fighting between Kiev forces and pro-Russian rebels has unfolded

Ukraine's President Poroshenko attends wreath laying ceremony at monument to fallen Mikhail Zhiznevsky from so-called "Heavenly Sotnya" on the Day of Unity in Kiev

Since the pro-Russian separatist rebellion broke out in eastern Ukraine around March last year, 5,000 people have died in the region.

And yet, despite multiple offensives, ceasefires and counter-offensives, Nato's top military commander said yesterday that the fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk regions was more intense than ever before.

"The situation along the line of contact in Ukraine is not good. The fighting has intensified to essentially pre-agreement or pre-standdown levels and in some cases beyond," said US Air Force General Philip Breedlove.

By Andrew Marszal