KIEV, December 6 (Sputnik) — At least 93 civilians have been killed as a result of military operation in Ukraine’s southeastern regions since the ceasefire agreement was signed on September 5, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council press service representative Vladimir Polevoy said Saturday.
“According to the official data, since September 5 militants have killed 93 civilians and this is only on the territories controlled by Ukraine,” Polevoy said.
In April, Kiev forces began a military operation against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine, who refuse to recognize the legitimacy of a new government that came to power following a February coup. According to the UN, the confrontation has claimed the lives of over 4,000 people. On September 5, the opposing sides reached a ceasefire agreement at a Contact Group meeting in Minsk. The provisions for the ceasefire implementation were agreed on during the next round of Minsk talks that took place on September 19. However, since then both sides have been accusing each other of violating the truce.
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights claimed in November that more than 700 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since a ceasefire was agreed.
At the moment, the conflicting sides hope that December 9 will be the "day of silence", which would allow to withdraw heavy arms and artillery marking the start of peace process.
