MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) said on Wednesday it had registered a high number of explosions in Ukraine’s Donetsk region and continued fighting in the area of Yasynuvata-Avdeevka.
"The SMM observed a continued high number of explosions recorded in Donetsk region, and noted continued fighting in the area of Yasynuvata-Avdiivka, including Grad multiple-launch rocket system fire. There was an increase in the number of explosions recorded in Lugansk region compared with the previous day," SMM said in a statement.
The SMM said it heard 143 undetermined blasts in the Donetsk city center on the night of August 15 – 16.
The mission also said that it observed hardware in the security zone.
"The SMM observed hardware in the security zone. South of government-controlled Petrivka (27km north of Lugansk), the SMM observed Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel flying an unarmed/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)," the statement added.
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. The accord stipulates a full ceasefire, weaponry withdrawal from the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, an all-for-all prisoner exchange and constitutional reforms, which would give a special status to the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
