At least 9,167 people have been killed and 21,044 others wounded since fighting between government troops and independence-seeking insurgents broke out in eastern Ukraine almost two years ago, said a UN report released on Thursday.

"Overall, in the period from mid-April 2014 to February 15, 2016, there were a total of 30,211 casualties, which include civilians and combatants," said a report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Currently, about 3 million people are estimated to live in the conflict-affected areas, with about 2.7 million of them residing in the territories controlled by rebels, the report said.

Crisis in eastern Ukraine began in April 2014, when Kiev launched offensives against insurgents in a bid to retake the cities and towns seized by them.

The easing of tensions came in September 2015 after the rival sides declared a comprehensive ceasefire in the conflict-torn region.

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