DONETSK, October 21. /TASS/. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have violated the ceasefire two times over the past 24 hours, firing 50 rounds of ammunition at the Donetsk People’s Republic territory (DPR), the DPR mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) reported on Thursday.

"The total amount of ammo used by the Ukrainian army came to 50 rounds," the message says in the Telegram of the DPR mission.

The villages of Staromikhailovka and Vasylivka near Donetsk came under fire of Ukrainian forces. During its blitz, the Ukrainian army employed 120mm and 82mm mortars and grenade launchers.

On Thursday morning, Donetsk’s northwest also came under attack from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the DPR mission to the JCCC, as a result of the shelling, fires broke out in two private residential buildings.

On July 27, 2020, additional ceasefire control measures came into effect in Donbass after being approved by the Contact Group. Under the agreement, the measures prohibit any offensive, intelligence or sabotage activities, as well as the use of all types of aircraft, the use of fire, and the deployment of heavy weapons in populated localities. One of the key provisions of the agreement stipulates disciplinary measures for breaking the ceasefire, whereas in case of offensive operations, return fire is allowed only after a direct order from the command.

Despite the agreements on additional measures, since late February, tensions in Donbass have begun to escalate. Intense fire resumed along the contact line. Both sides reported causalities. Kiev pinned the blame for escalation on the Donbass republics. For their turn, Donetsk and Lugansk said that Kiev’s non-compliance with the July agreements had triggered it.