Luhansk Militia Says Recorded 7 Truce Breaches In Donbas By Kiev Forces Over Past Day

LUHANSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd April, 2019) The press service of people's militia of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) told Sputnik that the Ukrainian armed forces shelled its territory seven times over the past 24 hours.

"Over the day, the Ukrainian security forces violated the ceasefire seven times, using mortars of 120 and 82-mm calibers, armament of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms," the press service said.

The Ukrainian troops have shelled settlements of Sokolniki, Kalinovo, Pervomaisk, Molodizhne and Frunze, according to the press service.

In 2014, Kiev launched a military operation against the LPR and its neighboring Donetsk People's Republic after they proclaimed independence from Ukraine, refusing to recognize the new central government.

In 2015, a ceasefire deal was signed between conflicting sides in Minsk following talks brokered by the leaders of the so-called Normandy group: Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine. Despite this agreement, sporadic fighting continues in Donbas. To date, the situation remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.