UNIAN
Ukrainian forces are holding their lines in the Donbas conflict zone, but face near daily attacks even after the declaration of the latest ceasefire, National Security Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said at a meeting on Thursday with security officials.
"Since December 9, after the announcement of the ceasefire, the number of attacks on the positions of Ukrainian armed forces has significantly decreased, Turchynov said at a meeting with the leadership of the General Staff, the National Guard and the Ministry of Interior Affairs.
But, despite this fact, the provocations by the Russian-backed insurgent groups are still continuing," Turchynov said, according to the press service of the National Security Council.
The officials discussed the operational situation in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine and a range of issues on how to counteract the terrorist threat, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
"Usually, Ukrainian soldiers face from eight to twenty attacks per day," Turchynov said.
"The most difficult situation and the highest number of provocations have happened in the areas of Debaltseve, Shastya and Donetsk airport.
"At the same time, Ukrainian armed forces are sticking firmly to their lines in the ATO zone, and are blocking any attempts by the Russian terrorist groups to reconfigure the front line."