Russian-Terrorist Forces Conduct Massive Attacks in Donbas
In recent days the occupying Russian forces carried out massive attacks across the contact line in Donbas using all available weapons, including Multiple Launch Rocket Systems “Grad”, 152 mm and 122 mm artillery, 120 and 82 mm mortars, and tanks, all which are prohibited by the Minsk agreements, as well as small arms.
Since the early hours of Sunday, 29 January, the hybrid Russian forces have conducted massive artillery attacks on Avdiivka and its suburbs directly from the Donetsk and Yasynuvata residential areas and sent assault units to seize control of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Avdiivka.
On 29 January the Ukrainian positions were shelled nearly four hundred times, while on 30 January this number doubled. The information on the high intensity of explosions was reflected in the SMM report of 30 January.
On the night of January 30th and 31th, MLRS “Grad” systems, positioned in residential areas of the Donetsk city, were used to shell Avdiivka. Over 80 Grad missiles were fired.
Over the two days of 29th and 30th January, 8 Ukrainian servicemen were killed and 26 were wounded. There are casualties and wounded persons among civilians.
In the evening of 30 January the Russian hybrid forces damaged the last functioning electric power line cutting off the Avdiivka coke plant and leaving the town of Avdiivka without heat, electric power and water supply. The Donetsk filter station stopped functioning. Taking into account current weather conditions in Donbas, where the temperature fell at night to minus 20 degrees Celsius, the Ukrainian authorities have announced an emergency situation in Avdiivka and are making every effort to help local residents.
The Kremlin’s actions may qualify as a war crime, a gross violation of the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949. It amounts to an unlawful, wanton and extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine underscored that the current escalation in Donbas is a clear indication of Russia’s continued blatant disregard of its commitments under the Minsk agreements, with a view of preventing the stabilization of the situation and undermining the achievement of any progress in the security and humanitarian spheres.
Ukraine demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease hostilities and comply strictly with the ceasefire.
Ukraine also requests our international partners to step up political and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin to stop the dangerous escalation in Donbas and avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
