Ukraine reports 80 ceasefire violations by Russian proxy forces, one soldier wounded
Ukraine recorded 80 violations of the ceasefire agreement by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas conflict area on Feb. 20, Ukraine’s Joint Forces Operation Headquarters (JFO HQ) wrote on Facebook on Feb. 21.
One Ukrainian soldier received shrapnel wounds as a result of shelling. He was taken to a hospital, JFO HQ reported.
According to the military, the weapons used in these violations include 122 mm artillery systems, 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, mounted anti-tank grenade launchers, and 152 mm artillery.
In particular, Ukrainian positions near Krasnohorivka, Avdiyivka, Hranitne, Starohnativka, Luhansk, Opytne, Pisky, Novohnativka, Schastia, and other settlements came under fire.
Eight ceasefire violations by Russian proxies have been recorded in the Donbas since midnight of Feb. 21. The Ukrainian military states that the current situation is under their full control.
Russia has recently stepped up its propaganda campaign against Ukraine, claiming that the Ukrainian military had allegedly shelled the non-government-controlled territories in the Donbas, as well as those in Rostov Oblast, a Russian region bordering eastern Ukraine.
According to the Russian security forces, the “Ukrainian military” has even reportedly fired at the territory of Russia with a Grad missile system.
Ukrainian Commander in Chief Valery Zaluzhny denied the report in a Facebook post, calling the news a “false flag,” in line with earlier warnings from both Ukrainian intelligence and foreign partners that Russia may fire on its own forces in order to create a pretext for a further invasion of Ukraine.
Russian proxy forces in the Donbas have significantly stepped up the number of attacks on Ukrainian positions since Feb. 17, with over 136 attacks occurring on Feb. 19, resulting in the deaths of two Ukrainian service members.
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