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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Truce violated 32 times in Donetsk republic over 24 hours — defence ministry

Ukrainian troops shelled the settlements of Spartak, Zhabichevo, Shirokino, Gorlovka, Yelenovka and Nizhnelozovoye, as well as the area of the Donetsk airport, the Donetsk News Agency reported

© EPA/ANASTASIA VLASOVA

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Joint monitors checking Ukraine truce as new watch posts deployed

MOSCOW, April 22. /TASS/. The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) registered 32 ceasefire violations by Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, the republic’s defense ministry said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian troops shelled the settlements of Spartak, Zhabichevo, Shirokino, Gorlovka, Yelenovka and Nizhnelozovoye, as well as the area of the Donetsk airport, the Donetsk News Agency reported quoting the ministry.

They used "artillery cannons which under the Minsk agreements must be pulled back from the contact line," as well as mortars, tank guns, grenade launchers, small arms and anti-tank guided missiles, the news agency quoted the ministry as saying.

The ministry said there had been no losses among civilians or military of the self-proclaimed republic.

A February 12 peace deal struck in Minsk, Belarus, by leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France envisaged a ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and people’s militias starting from February 15.

This was to be followed by withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of military engagement by at least 15 kilometres (9 miles), prisoner release and agreement for international observers to monitor the truce.

Withdrawal was due to start no later than the second day after the truce came into effect, for completion within two weeks.

Buffer zones were to be established of at least 50 kilometres (30 miles) for artillery of 100mm calibre or more, 70 kilometres for multiple rocket launch systems and 140 kilometres for the heaviest rockets and missiles.

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Eastern Ukraine

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