East Ukraine: the parties accuse each other of attacks gain – BBC Russian

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Image caption Ukrainian military claimed that DNI-sheep 66 times in the last day open fire their positions

One Ukrainian soldier was killed and three wounded in the fighting in the east of Ukraine, the representative of the presidential administration of Ukraine, Colonel Alexander Motuzyanik.

According to him, for the last day the representatives of the self-proclaimed DNI 66 again opened fire on the Ukrainian military in the area Zaitsevo north Gorlovka using grenade launchers, anti-aircraft guns, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

On the western outskirts Donetsk, according Motuzyanika, attacks continued across the front line from Avdeevka Donetsk airport to the area.

“This applies mainly the enemy rocket launchers and small arms. The only time the use of mortars was yesterday’s shelling of Ukrainian defense lines in the area of ​​sand after sunset, “- said the colonel.

In turn, representatives of the self-proclaimed” Donetsk People’s Republic, “said that the Ukrainian military 17 times in the last day violated the “silent mode”.

“The situation at the contact line over the past day has not changed, tend to aggravate,” – they said.

In the neutral zone – near the village Kominternovo on Mariupol direction – under the gun fire were the representatives of the OSCE mission. It is reported that the victims among observers and accompanying journalists were not. But, according to the DNR, because of the outbreak later, a mortar attack killed two civilians.

Authorities Ukraine accused in the shelling of military representatives of the DNI. According to Colonel Motuzyanika fire on positions of the Ukrainian military was opened after from Kominternovo left the OSCE mission.

At the same time, he argued, DNI-sheep allowed observers ” only to that part of the village where it was profitable, “concealing the traces of military equipment, located in the backyards.

Earlier tripartite contact group to resolve the situation in the east of Ukraine called upon the parties to the ceasefire from December 23 to residents Donbass could safely celebrate the New Year and Christmas. Some experts expressed doubts that the firing will stop during the holidays.