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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Militiamen repel Ukrainian subversive groups’ attempt to break through to Donetsk

The self-proclaimed DPR Defence Minister specified that Ukrainian soldiers were acting under the cover of infantry combat vehicles, armored personnel carriers and an air defense system

A woman in a shattered building, Donetsk Михаил Соколов/ТАСС

A woman in a shattered building, Donetsk

© Михаил Соколов/ТАСС

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Ukrainian troops shelling Donetsk airport area

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Subversive groups of Ukraine’s Armed Forces made an attempt to break through to Donetsk near the Donetsk Airport last night, self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Defence Minister Vladimir Kononov said Thursday.

"This past night, the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempted to break through from the direction of the airport," Kononov told the Donetsk News Agency. "They tried to enter the city by two subversive groups."

He specified that Ukrainian soldiers were acting under the cover of infantry combat vehicles, armored personnel carriers and an air defense system. The attempt was repelled.

"Our side only performed actions of defensive nature," the minister said.

On February 12, the Contact Group on settlement of the conflict in Donbas signed in Minsk the Package of Measures on implementation of the Minsk Agreements, and a ceasefire was announced from February 15 along the contact line.

Besides, in line with the document, cannon artillery with calibers of 100 millimeters and more was to be withdrawn from the disengagement line to a distance of 50 kilometers, and multiple launch rocket systems to 70-140 km depending on their firing range. The withdrawal was to have been completed by mid-March.

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Eastern Ukraine

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