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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk republic militia positions shelled 30 times over 24 hours — spokesman

The territory was attacked 16 times by mortars, four times by tanks, and five times by armored vehicles

© Konstantin Sazonchik/TASS

MOSCOW, May 29. /TASS/. Ukrainian military action has violated ceasefire arrangements in war-torn eastern territory some 30 times over the last 24 hours, a Defense Ministry spokesman for the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Tuesday.

Various weapons are said to have been used by Kiev forces to shell residential areas and suburbs, the spokesman said, according to a Donetsk News Agency report.

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The territory was attacked 16 times by mortars, four times by tanks, and five times by armored vehicles, the spokesman said. Grenade launchers and small arms had also opened fire five times.

Shelling has been recorded near the Donetsk airport, the settlements of Gorlovka, Debaltsevo, Spartak, Zhabichevo, Grigorovka, Belaya Kamenka, Novomaryevka, Kalinovka, Tavricheskoye, Sakhanka, Shirokino and Lozovoye, the official added. Information about casualties among civilians or militias was 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 kilometers (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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