“The international community cannot allow the situation to escalate further nor can a continuation be allowed of the violence and destruction that the conflict has wrought in eastern Ukraine,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

It is reported that the fighting in eastern Ukraine has spread southward, near the border of the Sea of Azov and Russia.

“If confirmed, this will mark a dangerous escalation in the Ukrainian crisis,” said the statement.

Amid the latest developments, the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting today on the situation in Ukraine.

The Secretary-General noted the recent talks in Minsk on 26 August, as well as the first official meeting between Presidents Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin of Russia.

“He calls for continuity of these talks, with a view to forging a peaceful way out of the conflict. All must do their part to contribute to the peaceful resolution of this conflict, in a manner upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the statement.

Mr. Ban has previously expressed his hope that there will be tangible progress in implementing the Ukrainian President’s peace plan which was announced in June. According to media reports, the peace plan involves proposals for decentralizing power, holding early elections, and creating a buffer zone on the Ukrainian-Russian border.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, many being women with children. Photo: UNFPA Ukraine/Olena Kulyk