"The report covers the period from 16 February to 15 May 2017, during which the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) recorded 36 conflict-related civilian deaths and 157 injuries – a 48 per cent increase on the previous reporting period from 16 November 2016 to 15 February 2017," the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine said in a statement, citing the report.
Read alsoUkraine reports almost 60 enemy attacks, 1 KIA, 5 WIA's in last day"There were daily ceasefire violations and routine use of small arms and light and heavy weapons in the conflict zone. Such attacks and the resulting damage to critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and water facilities, raise serious concerns for the protection of civilians, the report notes. The report warns that, as summer approaches, there is a risk of further escalation in hostilities, as in previous years," it said.
Read alsoMilitant shells hit school in eastern Ukraine's KrasnohorivkaAs UNIAN reported earlier, residential areas in the Ukrainian-controlled towns of Avdiyivka and Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region are under constant enemy fire. In particular, Russia's hybrid military forces launched several barrages from 125mm tank guns to attack a residential quarter in the town of Avdiyivka on June 12. Shells exploded near private houses on Ostrovskoho and Gagarina Streets. Fortunately, there were no civilian casualties. The circumstances and consequences of this incident are now being clarified. Another attack on local residents' houses on the same day was recorded near the village of Zaitseve where a heavy machine gun was used.
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has called on Russian-controlled militants in Donbas via Twitter to stop shelling civilian infrastructure facilities in the region.
"Stop targeting civilian infrastructure," the embassy tweeted on June 12.
U.S. diplomats also called on Russian-controlled militants to comply with the Minsk peace agreements.
