The Ukrainian army's command has reported a new round of escalation in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, as Russia-led troops fired 20 heavy artillery rounds on Monday midnight.
"The Russian occupying forces have attacked positions of the Joint Forces with the use of weapons that are banned under the Minsk agreements. The invaders opened fire from 122mm artillery systems. The enemy fired 20 rounds to shell the defenders of Kindrashivka Nova," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook in the early hours of Monday, February 24.
Read alsoDonbas war update: 11 enemy attacks, one soldier injured in booby-trap blast on Feb 22
Ukrainian soldiers were ready for provocation as Russia marked Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23, which focuses on the achievements of its military forces. The enemy is known for attempts to escalate the situation in Donbas on red-letter days.
"To discredit Joint Forces' units, the Russian invaders committed armed provocations just before the attack, by shelling their own positions close to civilians' houses in the occupied village of Veselenke," the JFO said.
The Ukrainian army's command has reiterated that Ukrainian troops never fire at civilian homes.
"Such crimes are typical for Russia-controlled occupation forces," the Ukrainian military said.
Now the Joint Forces continue carrying out their combat missions in an enhanced mode and are ready for armed provocations by the enemy.
As was reported, Russia-led forces twice tried to attack Ukrainian positions in Donbas in recent days. One Ukrainian soldier died, another five were wounded in a morning battle on February 18.
