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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk republic militia claim Kiev forces opened fire 26 times over past 24 hours

Two militia fighters have been badly injured as a result of shelling

© Mikhail Sokolov/TASS

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. A Donetsk People's Republic defense ministry spokesman said on Monday the current ceasefire in Ukraine’s east has been violated by Ukrainian government forces some 26 times over the past 24 hours.

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"Over the past 24 hours, we have registered some 26 ceasefire violations by the Ukrainian forces. Two militiamen have been badly injured as a result of shelling," the Donetsk news agency quoted the self-proclaimed republic's spokesman as saying.

Kiev forces opened fire six times with mortars, one time with anti-aircraft guns and some 19 times with grenade launchers and small arms, the spokesman said, noting that shelling attacks had been recorded near the settlements of Spartak, Zhabichevo, Shirokino, Lozovoye and Panteleymonovka, as well as around the Volvo-Centre district and Donetsk airport.

The Ukrainian side has accused local militias of some six ceasefire violations on Sunday evening.

Under terms of the peace deal agreed by leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France in the Belarusian capital Minsk on February 12, the ceasefire regime came into effect at midnight on February 15.

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Eastern Ukraine

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