Cease-fire holds in eastern Ukraine

A Pro-Russian rebel holds a mortar shell as they lead suppressive fire at the positions of Ukrainian army, during shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. (Source: AP)

A cease-fire between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government troops appears to be largely holding in eastern Ukraine, a day after shelling and clashes rattled nerves and imperiled the peace deal.

In a statement published online Monday, the city council of Donetsk said there had been no reported casualties overnight and that public transport would be up and running on Tuesday. No shelling or explosions could be heard overnight in downtown Donetsk.

The Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Monday that 15 Ukrainian soldiers had been released by rebel forces, another key element of the deal.

The cease-fire, which was imposed late on Friday, was thrown into peril over the weekend when the outskirts of a large coastal city, Mariupol, came under fire and fighting started up near the Donetsk airport.