Daily death toll rises in eastern Ukraine conflict

The estimated death toll in the Ukraine conflict nearly doubled to at least 2,086 as of August 10 from 1,129 on July 26, the United Nations human rights office said yesterday.

The figures came as a convoy of nearly 300 trucks carrying what Russia says is humanitarian aid for victims of fighting in eastern Ukraine continued its journey towards the border.

UN human rights spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly said of the latest death toll figures: "This corresponds to a clear escalating trend."

On average, more than 60 people a day had been killed or wounded since fighting began in mid-April in eastern Ukraine, rising to at least 70 people a day in the first week of August, the spokeswoman said.

Nearly 5,000 have been wounded. The figures for casualties include Ukrainian soldiers, armed groups, pro-Russian militants and civilians, but are "very conservative estimates", Pouilly said.

"For instance, civilian casualties are likely to be under-reported, due to the continuing insecurity which prevents affected people from getting access to medical aid ... and because communication channels have been disrupted," she added.