Fighting increases in eastern Ukraine
The situation in the Donbas region remains tense, as both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and pro-Russian separatists blame each other for violating the ceasefire on February 27th. The Ukrainian Armed Forces Press Center reported that attacks by pro-Russian separatists increased after nightfall. In the Donetsk region, Ukrainian positions came under fire from small arms, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers near the towns of Zaitsevo, Novgorodskoye, and Luganskoye, the statement said.
According to the Press Center, in the Mariupol region, Ukrainian servicemen were attacked by separatists using heavy machine guns and grenade launchers near Marinka and Novotroiske.
It was reported that Ukrainian servicemen returned fire using small arms in these areas along the boundary line.
In turn, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) continues to blame government forces for initiating hostilities in the region.
The Donetsk News Agency reported that Ukrainian forces attacked the territory of the so-called DPR 231 times, violating the ceasefire on 30 separate occasions.
One civilian was wounded the Petrovsky region as a result.
According to the Ministry of Defense of the so-called DPR, fighting is occurring in several different locations.
The situation in the Donbas region has deteriorated over the last two months, especially in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has warned of an escalation of the conflict, and Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russian arms and soldiers continue to pour across the border. Meanwhile, the Trilateral Contact Group continues to work on finding a solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.