The death of a senior military commander of independence-seeking insurgents in eastern Ukraine has not affected the overall situation in the restive area, Ukrainian government military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said here Tuesday.

"It had no impact on the situation at the frontline," Lysenko told reporters during a media briefing.

He said there was no significant escalation of tensions over the past day, but sporadic clashes between the conflicting sides continue.

Arseny Pavlov, 33, nicknamed "Motorola," was killed late Sunday when an improvised explosive device went off in the elevator of his apartment building in Donetsk.

Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of insurgents in Donetsk region, has accused the Security Service of Ukraine of being behind the incident, vowing retaliation.

"The death of my friend will take a toll on the Ukrainian authorities," Zakharchenko said, prompting fears that rebels may start a new offensive against the government army.

The Ukrainian authorities have denied their involvement in the assassination of Pavlov, suggesting that he could have been killed by his "accomplices."

Pavlov was the commander of the Sparta Battalion, an armed group fighting against the Ukrainian government. Endi

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