Collapse of Minsk Deal? Donbass Ceasefire Violated 4,700 Times in 24 Hours

According to OSCE, the ceasefire regime in Donbass was violated 4,700 times in 24 hours, and heavy weapons were again being used.

MINSK (Sputnik) — The ceasefire regime in eastern Ukraine was violated 4,700 times in 24 hours, OSCE's representative at the Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik said Wednesday.

Addressing reporters in Minsk, Sajdik stated that both sides were violating the ceasefire and heavy weapons were again being used.

Kiev has been conducting a military operation against Donbass independence supporters since spring 2014, when they refused to recognize the new coup-imposed Ukrainian government and declared sovereignty.

The Minsk deal on Ukraine's reconciliation was struck in February 2015 by Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France and later signed by Kiev and the Donbass self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Both warring parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce despite agreeing to the ceasefire deal.