Kiev, Sep 10 (IANS): Three Ukrainian border guards were killed and two others severely wounded when the vehicle they were traveling in hit an explosive device in eastern Luganks region, the press office of the State Border Service said Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 2.45 p.m. Tuesday near Nyzhnebaranikovka village, 10 km from the Russian border, Xinhua reported citing a statement issued by the press service.
It was not clear whether the explosion was a premeditated attack on the Ukrainian border guards or the vehicle had just hit a landmine.
According to the State Border Service, a total of 58 Ukrainian border guards have been killed in eastern Ukraine since mid-April, when the government launched its military operation against independence-seeking insurgents there.