DONETSK, August 20, 1:20 /ITAR-TASS/. Two civilians were wounded, a few private and multistory buildings, as well as parked cars and a gas pipe in a western district of Donetsk were damaged as a result of artillery shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces of the eastern Ukrainian city’s residential areas on Tuesday afternoon, the city council reported.
In the northern part of Donetsk, a shell hit a nine-story residential building, causing partial destruction. Gas networks were also damaged, which resulted in gas supplies to seven nearby buildings being stopped.
Donetsk residents reported on Tuesday evening that frequent artillery salvos can be heard nearly in all city districts.
Maintenance crews of regional gas distribution company Donetskgorgaz have been working to restore gas supplies. Regional electricity distribution company DTEK Donetskoblenergo has started repairing broken power transmission lines that ensure operation of a local water purification plant that supplies water to Donetsk.
The southeastern Ukrainian Donetsk and Lugansk regions have been the scene for fierce clashes between troops loyal to Kiev and local militias as the Ukrainian armed forces are conducting a military operation to regain control over the breakaway territories, which on May 11 proclaimed their independence at local referendums and now call themselves the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s republics.
Kiev has used armored vehicles, heavy artillery and attack aviation in its military operation, which has been conducted since mid-April. Hundreds of civilians have lost their lives in it. Many buildings have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have had to flee Ukraine’s embattled southeast.