Since the resumption of serious fighting just over two weeks ago, the number of the month's victims has become the highest since September, when peace agreements were signed in Minsk and a ceasefire was supposed to be put in place.
"A significant escalation of the violence has increased the number of victims up to 5,086 people, and we are afraid that the real figure may be much higher," spokesperson of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Rupert Colville said at a press conference in Geneva on Friday.
European Union has responded to the increase in violence by promising to take new steps to put pressure on Russia, which is already suffering from painful economic and political sanctions imposed by the West, and to provide more assistance to Ukraine.
"We are faced with a serious situation. I think, if Russia does not comply with the Minsk agreements, we’ll see what additional pressure we can provide at the level of the European Union," Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs said.
