Kiev, pro-Russians trade charges of ceasefire violations

Kiev, Feb 20 (IANS/EFE) Ukrainian authorities and pro-Russian separatists accused one another Friday of violating the ceasefire which came into effect last weekend in eastern Ukraine and is holding in most of the conflict zone.

Kiev denounced 49 ceasefire violations carried out by the separatists in the 24 hours which ended at 6 a.m. Friday, mostly outside Donetsk city that is controlled by the rebels.

In turn, the pro-Russians accused the Ukrainian forces of 51 attacks by artillery and missile launchers, noting that the intensity of the attacks had sharply increased compared to the previous day which was generally calm.

Separatist positions at the airport in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic were attacked 23 times, 12 of which were by artillery fire, a spokesman for the rebel command told a Russian news agency.

Donetsk city officials reported Friday that a woman was killed by artillery fire the previous day, but that all was relatively quiet during the early hours of Friday morning.

In general, the intensity of the hostilities in eastern Ukraine decreased after the Ukrainian forces surrendered the strategic city of Debaltseve following several weeks of fighting.

--IANS/EFE

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