Kiev, Oct 10 (IANS): Three civilians were killed and five others wounded during artillery shelling in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk, authorities said Friday.

According to the Donetsk municipal council, 10 private houses and an apartment building were damaged by heavy shelling late Thursday in Donetsk, the main rebel stronghold in eastern Ukraine, Xinhua reported.

Andrei Lysenko, spokesman for the National Security and Defence Council, said there had been no deaths among Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, but seven soldiers were wounded in confrontation with independence-seeking insurgents.

As a move to observe the ceasefire deal signed Sep 5, rebels have freed 10 Ukrainian prisoners-of-war over the past one day, Lysenko said.

However, despite the declared truce, the insurgent forces continue to expand their military capabilities, he added.

Ukraine started its military operation against pro-independence insurgents in mid-April to regain control over the seized cities and towns in eastern parts of the country.

The armed conflict has claimed at least 3,660 lives and wounded more than 8,750 people, according to the latest UN figures.