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Developments in eastern Ukraine

East Ukraine militia claim Kiev violated truce 37 times over 24 hours

Of that, three registered cases were artillery shelling

© EPA/TASS/NIKOLAI GONTAR

MOSCOW, May 11. /TASS/. Ukrainian military action has violated ceasefire arrangements in war-torn eastern territory 37 times over the last 24 hours, a Defense Ministry spokesman for the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Monday.

The ministry said they had registered three cases of artillery shelling, seven cases of tank shelling, and one time with the use of armored vehicles, as well as 15 mortar and nine grenade-launches and gun fires.

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Shelling was recorded in the Oktyabrsky district and near the Oktyabrskaya mine near Donetsk, Gorlovka, Spartak, Zhabichevo, Belaya Kamyanka and Golma. The defense ministry also confirmed the night shelling of Sakhanka.

Information about casualties among civilians or militias is being verified.

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 kilometers (30 miles) for artillery of 100mm calibre or more, 70 kilometers for multiple rocket launch systems and 140 kilometers for the heaviest rockets and missiles.

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Eastern Ukraine

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