Ukraine and Russia trade accusations of ceasefire violations as fighting continues to rage around Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia warns Kiev not to rely on a military solution
ADVERTISEMENTIn Ukraine dozens of people are reported dead or injured as fighting continues around the the eastern cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. A hospital in Donetsk was hit by a shell on Monday, causing extensive damage but no reported deaths. Patients had to be transferred to other hospitals.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
“Today it is perfectly obvious that the shelling of residential areas in Donetsk was carried out by units of the Ukrainian armed forces,” said Andrei Kozlov, the Russian representative at the Ceasefire Coordination Centre. “Also, for the first time after a long break, aerial bombing has been used.”
On the Ukrainian side the Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, has repeated claims that the Russians are arming the rebels.
“Tanks, Howitzers, multiple missile launchers like Grads….means of radio intelligence…these are not being sold in the market in Donetsk. They’re not being sold in the Russian military shop. Only the Russian Ministry of Defence and Russian Military Intelligence possess these weapons.”
The escalation of the fighting has prompted the Russian government to warn Kiev not to rely on a military solution that it said could lead to ‘irreversible consequences for Ukraine’s statehood’.
Ukraine said two large groups of Russian forces crossed the border into Ukraine on Monday but there was no independent confirmation of the report.