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Military operation in Ukraine

Five soldiers of Donetsk People’s Republic killed in past day — spokesman

23 were wounded

DONETSK, May 28. /TASS/. Five soldiers of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have been killed and 23 more wounded in the past 24 hours, Eduard Basurin, deputy chief of the DPR People’s Militia, said on Saturday.

"We regret to inform you that over the past 24 hours five defenders of the Donetsk People's Republic were killed in the fight for independence and 23 were wounded," Basurin said quoted on the Telegram channel of the DPR People’s Militia.

According to Basurin, the Ukrainian armed forces shelled the republic, firing more than 70 shells and mortars of the 122 mm BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems, 122 mm barrel artillery and 120 mm mortars, on Saturday. Six settlements came under fire, and one civilian was wounded.

Tensions escalated along the contact line in Donbass on February 17. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR respectively) reported the heaviest shelling by Ukraine in months. On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on recognizing the DPR and LPR. Russia recognized the two republics within the administrative borders of Donetsk and Lugansk regions as they were at the beginning of 2014 stipulated in their constitutions.

On February 24, Putin launched a special military operation in Ukraine following a request for help from the leaders of two Donbass republics, its goals are demilitarization and denazification of the country.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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