DONETSK, January 19. /TASS/. The Defense Ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has recorded 56 shelling attacks on populated localities and people’s militia positions in eastern Ukraine launched by Kiev’s security forces over the past 24 hours, deputy commander of a DPR Defense Ministry corps Eduard Basurin told reporters on Monday.

“The number of shelling attacks and the number of casualties have increased of late. A total of 56 shelling attacks from 82mm to 152mm weapons have been recorded over the past 24 hours. A 500-kg air bomb was dropped in Gorlovka,” he said.

“A total of 44 people, including a child who is in a severe condition, have been injured and 9 people killed in DPR over the past day,” said Basurin.