(VOVworld) - The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) may impose martial law in the eastern provinces of Lugansk and Donetsk. Council secretary Andrei Parubi told reporters on Monday that the government prefers to allow pro-federalization forces to lay down their weapons or leave the country.

Violence in eastern Ukraine continues and casualties are on the rise. “Grad” rockets struck the town of Amvrosievka, 50km from Donetsk, killing 3 persons and injuring dozens.

Ukrainian servicemen stand guard at a checkpoint near the town of Amvrosievka. (Photo: Reuters)

According to the press service of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, fierce clashes between the government troops and pro-federalization forces erupted in Kramatorsk, 10km from Slavyansk, killing 2, injuring 4, and destroying a church and several houses.