KIEV, Ukraine
Two Ukrainian government soldiers were killed in clashes with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country during the last 24 hours, Ukrainian counterterrorism center spokesman Andrey Lisenko said Friday.
The spokesman claimed the separatists had violated the Minsk cease-fire agreement 40 times over the last 24-hour period, adding that 10 soldiers were also injured in the clashes.
The pro-Russian separatists also allegedly launched attacks using heavy weapons on several towns in eastern Ukraine, including Vodyanoe, Avdeevka, Peski, Krimskoe, Opitnoe, Berezovoe, Taramcuk and Granitnoe, the spokesman added.
Dmitry Gutsulyak, spokesman for the counter-terrorism operations against pro-Russian separatists, claimed Friday that there were over 8,000 Russian soldiers armed with tens of tanks and missile systems in eastern Ukraine.
Gutsulyak added that the number of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine was around 33,000, who also have nearly 1,000 armored cars, Gutsulyak said.
Russia denies the presence of even a single soldier on Ukrainian soil.
Parties in conflict signed the Minsk cease-fire agreement on Feb. 12, which includes the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from combat areas, and of all foreign armed formations; the release of all hostages and unlawfully detained persons as well as political reforms and decentralization in the eastern Ukrainian regions.
However, the agreement has failed to be implemented fully, with daily reports of breaches and clashes, and both parties blaming each other for violating the accord.
