OSCE confirms militant attack on Ukrainian troops in Luhansk region

"The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and conducted crater analysis. At a Ukrainian Armed Forces fortified defensive position near government-controlled Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed four fresh craters, each one meter in diameter," the OSCE SMM said in its update based on information received as of 19:30 local time on March 14, 2016.

"Based on crater analysis conducted by the SMM on two of them, and examination of a spent projectile at the scene, the SMM assessed that rounds from a 73mm recoilless gun (SPG-9) had been fired from the direction of "LPR" (self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic)-controlled Donetskyi (49km north-west of Luhansk)," the report said.

The checkpoint commander told the SMM that the incident had taken place at 05:45 local time that morning, it said.