The death toll in border clashes between the forces of Central Asian countries Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has risen to 71, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on both sides to remain calm.
According to the British news agency Reuters, both countries have confirmed that the death toll has risen after a temporary ceasefire failed for a second day.
Border disputes between Central Asian states date back to the Soviet era, when Moscow tried to divide the territories along different demographic and ethnic lines.
On Sunday, Kyrgyzstan confirmed 36 deaths and said 137,000 people had been evacuated from the border area.
The Kyrgyz government has announced a day of mourning for those killed on Monday.
Meanwhile, Tajikistan also confirmed 35 deaths in the clashes, but did not say anything about the evacuation of civilians from the area.
The two countries agreed to a ceasefire on September 16, after which the threat of a full-scale war was averted, but some incidents of firing and shelling have been alleged.
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to Kyrgyz President Sadir Japrov and Tajik President Imam Ali Rahman on the phone.
According to a statement from the Kremlin, President Putin urged both countries to take political and diplomatic steps as soon as possible to restore complete peace instead of escalating violence.
He also offered to provide support to both countries in this regard.
