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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk Republic’s Defense Ministry reports heavy fighting near Debaltsevo Heights

The Ukrainian army has conducted active bombardments near Debaltsevo in a bid to prevent the full encirclement of 8,000 government troops in the area, the local defense ministry says

Damaged house in the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltsevo (archive) EPA/KONSTANTIN GRISHIN

Damaged house in the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltsevo (archive)

© EPA/KONSTANTIN GRISHIN

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MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Fierce fighting was underway Friday morning between the militias of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic and Ukrainian military in the area of the Debaltsevo Heights and on the outskirts of Uglegorsk, the Donetsk Republic’s Defense Ministry has said.

"Heavy combat clashes are underway in the area of the Debaltsevo Heights and on the outskirts of Uglegorsk. The militias fully control Uglegorsk. Minor Ukrainian army units are still present on the outskirts," the Donetsk News Agency quotes the Defense Ministry’s news release as saying.

The Ukrainian armed forces have conducted active bombardments of some sections of the Artyomovsk-bound road near Debaltsevo in a bid to prevent the full encirclement of 8,000 government troops in the area, the report says.

"The Ukrainian artillery keeps dealing strikes, but the key heights along the road are under the militias’ full control, which will not allow Ukrainian military to deliver ammunition, medical supplies and foods to its group in Debaltsevo," the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic’s Defense Ministry said.

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