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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian law enforcers resume artillery strikes on Sloviansk

On Sunday, military units loyal to the Kiev authorities used multiple launch artillery installations "Grad" to shell the center of Sloviansk

© AP Photo/Andrei Petrov

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Poroshenko speaks for stopping fire in Ukraine’s eastern regions

SLOVIANSK, June 09. /ITAR-TASS/. The Ukrainian law enforces have resumed artillery strikes on Sloviansk and adjoining settlements on Monday morning. A jet has been seen flying over the city, a source from the self-defense forces told ITAR-TASS.

The city has been suffering from drinking water shortages, as a water pipeline damaged in the shootout has not been repaired. The population of Sloviansk has been living without electricity for almost a week now. Besides, fueling stations are out of service, the source said.

There is practically no mobile telephone service, except in a few areas where cell phones are operating, the source added.

As he spoke the artillery strikes suddenly stopped, and no more explosions were heard. "It is not clear when the strikes would be resumed," the source said.

Sunday's shelling of Sloviansk

On Sunday, military units loyal to the Kiev authorities used multiple launch artillery installations "Grad" to shell the center of Sloviansk, Chairman of the Supreme Council of self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin told ITAR-TASS. Four people, including a child, were killed,he said.

There were many people in the city center. The artillery fire began when a religious service, delivered on the occasion of a big Orthodox holiday, just ended. The artillery shells hit residential blocks, a furniture factory, a restaurant and a communication center, a source from the self-defense headquarters said.

Artillery strikes also hit areas of Chervonny Molochar, Mashchermet and the settlement of Semyonovka. Many casualties were reported.

In retaliation, the self-defense forces attacked national guards and units of the Ukrainian armed forces stationed on Karachun mountain.

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Eastern Ukraine

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