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OSCE official concerned with escalation of violence in Ukraine, calls for restrain

SMM monitors have observed and reported two months of relative calm in Donbas

© Mikhail Sokolov/TASS

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VIENNA, November 13. /TASS/. Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan has called for the sides in the conflict in Ukraine’s east to restore the ceasefire regime which has been mostly observed over the last months, according to the statement published on the OSCE official website on Friday.

"SMM monitors have observed and reported two months of relative calm, and tentative steps by people in some areas towards rebuilding their lives and communities. We urge all sides not to turn back the clock on these positive developments and to honour their commitments and work towards a durable peace," Apakan said.

"Since the beginning of November SMM monitors have reported that the level of violence has increased, especially near the remains of Donetsk airport," he added. "I am particularly concerned by the use of heavy weapons in Staromykhailivka, Krasnohorivka and the Kuibyshevskyi district of Donetsk city," the Chief Monitor said.

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