School year begins in rebel-controlled Ukraine

Kiev, Oct 1 (IANS/EFE) Schools in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk controlled by pro-Russian separatists finally opened Wednesday after a month's delay.

Igor Kostenko, a minister in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), said the school year had begun and that most schools would open.

"In the areas where shelling by the Ukrainian military on, the decision to open schools would be made by teachers and parents," he said.

Donetsk, which is controlled by pro-Russian separatists and was inhabited by nearly one million people before the outbreak of the armed conflict, has been divided into two areas by the rebel authorities.

The clashes between the pro-Russians and the Ukrainian government forces continue near the region's international airport, despite the peace deal signed by both sides last month in the Belarusian capital of Minsk.

"The shelling in Donetsk's capital, during the months before the ceasefire, heavily damaged 20 out of 150 schools, while at least 46 other schools were partially damaged," Kostenko said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported new ceasefire violations Wednesday morning by the pro-Russian militias in at least six areas in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The UN estimates say that more than 3,000 people have died since April in Donetsk and Luhansk, due to the clashes between the government forces and rebel militias.

--IANS/EFE

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