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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Kiev forces violate ceasefire 79 times in past 24 hours, says DPR defence ministry

A total of 86 artillery shells and 31 tanks shells were fired. Besides, Ukrainian troops used grenade launches and small arms

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Ukrainian Armed Forces have shelled the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic 79 times in the past 24 hours, the territory's Defence Ministry said.

"The situation remains tense. The intensity of shelling by the Ukrainian side has sizably grown and totaled 79 ceasefire violations over the past 24 hours," Donetsk News Agency quoted the ministry as saying.

A total of 86 artillery shells and 31 tanks shells were fired. Besides, Ukrainian troops used grenade launches and small arms, it said.

The city of Gorlovka north of Donetsk was the most heavily shelled. Kiev troops also shelled Donetsk (including the airport area), the settlements of Yasinovataya, Sanzharovka, Oktyabr, Novaya Tavria, Zaichenko, Kalinovka, Golmovsky, Alexandrovka, Zhabichevo, Staromikhailovka and Spartak.

The Donbass region ceasefire formally came into force on February 15. Requirements to halt hostilities were envisaged in a package of measures for implementing peace accords signed in Minsk, Belarus, three days before.

Authorities of the two territories have repeatedly said observance of the truce depended entirely on the Ukrainian side.

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Eastern Ukraine

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