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Defense Ministry claims Ukrainian Army did not shell checkpoint

Kiev laid blame for attack on militants

Acting as Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mikhail of Koval ITAR-TASS/Maxim Nikitin

Acting as Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mikhail of Koval

© ITAR-TASS/Maxim Nikitin

KIEV, June 20, /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian Defense Ministry issued a statement claiming “Ukrainian military have not been using artillery of mortars” in the areas adjoining the Ukrainian-Russian border.

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Investigative Committee starts probe of shelling of Russian territory from Ukraine

As reported earlier, Russia's Novoshakhtinsk border checkpoint in the southern Rostov region underwent shelling by mortars from the Ukrainian territory at around 18:40 Moscow Standard Time, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Buildings, infrastructure facilities and communication lines at the checkpoint have been partially destroyed or damaged.

A spokesman for the Rostov region branch of the Federal Customs Service said a customs officer had been wounded. He cited physicians describing the officer’s wounds as very severe.

The Novoshakhtinsk automobile checkpoint is a large customs terminal through which trucks cross the border and all types of trade supplies, including agriculture produce, are delivered from Ukraine to Russia and the other way round.

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Ukraine crisis Ukraine Eastern Ukraine

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