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Kremlin says situation along engagement line in Donbass frightening

According to the Kremlin spokesman, "provocations by the Ukrainian armed forces do take place"
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov Alexander Shcherbak/TASS
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov
© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. The situation in Donbass along the engagement line is rather frightening, with numerous provocations by the Ukrainian armed forces observed there, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Friday.

"Our rhetoric [over Donbass] is absolutely constructive," Peskov said in reply to a question. "We do not indulge in wishful thinking. Regrettably, the realities along the engagement line are rather frightening. Provocations by the Ukrainian armed forces do take place. They are not casual. There have been many of them."

Asked about chief Ukrainian delegate Leonid Kravchuk’s proposal "for the observance of full and comprehensive ceasefire" starting from April 1 Peskov said that Russia was not a party to the conflict.

"Truce concerns only the forces on either side of the disengagement line," Peskov said.

Tensions in Donbass soared on March 26, when four Ukrainian military servicemen were killed near the village of Shumy. Kiev blamed their death on the forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Donetsk denied its responsibility for any bombardments. Later, the Donetsk Republic said that the Ukrainian soldiers were killed by a landmine while inspecting minefields.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said the Kremlin was worried the Ukrainian side might take provocative action in southeastern Ukraine, thus creating the risk of a civil war.

On Wednesday, Russian presidential representative in the Contact Group for a settlement of the conflict in the east of Ukraine, Boris Gryzlov, described Kiev’s stance on the issue of security in the conflict zone in Donbass as irresponsible and cynical.