Ukrainian military says a soldier was killed in bombings by pro-Russian separatists on Saturday morning in eastern Ukraine, where the violence this week in a long-running dispute has raised fears that he could be the trigger for Russian military action.
Ukrainian militia said on his Facebook page that he had recorded 19 ceasefire violations by the separatists since the start of the day compared with 66 cases over the previous 24 hours.
The separatists opened fire on more more than 20 settlements, using heavy artillery, prohibited by the Minsk agreements, the military noted.
Incidents of bombarding across the dividing line government forces and separatists have increased sharply this week, in what ukrainian government called a provocation. He strongly denied Russian suggestions that Kiev could launch a offensive in Eastern Ukraine.
The Minsk agreements aim to end an 8-year- long conflict between the Ukrainian army and the separatists in ballast of the country.
Meanwhile, the chief of breakaway from eastern Ukraine regionthe so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, on Saturday said he introduced general mobilization, with fear rises of war in the former Soviet country.
“I urge my fellow citizens who are in upcoming reservations military conscription offices. Today I signed a decree on general mobilization”, declared Denis Pouchiline in a video statement, after the monitors warned of big rise in combat in east of Ukraine.
