LUGANSK, July 26 (Itar-Tass) - Fifteen civilians were killed and about 60 were injured in mortar fire attacks on Lugansk, the press service of the self-proclaimed republic reported on Saturday, referring to information from the Lugansk commandant.

Lugansk was under massive mortar and heavy artillery fire from the side of Ukrainian government forces, the local Novorossia news agency reported. People died when houses collapsed, it said.

On Friday, five people were killed and two were wounded by mortar fire in the eastern Ukrainian city.