Lithuania expresses deep concern over escalation near Zolote

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius has expressed deep concern over the offensive attempts by Russian-backed forces near Zolote in eastern Ukraine.

“Deeply concerned about the fresh military escalation and offensive attempts by Russian-backed forces near Zolote this morning. Minsk implementation is impossible without a ceasefire,” Linkevicius wrote on Twitter.

As Ukrinform reported, on the morning of February 18, Russian-backed forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian Joint Forces units near the villages of Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, Krymske and Khutir Vilnyi.

The invaders fired at the Ukrainian military from weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements: 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types and heavy machine guns. Supported by massive fire, Russian invaders launched an offensive operation and attempted to advance through the contact line.

According to the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters, the combat has ended. One of the Ukrainian defenders was killed, and four others were wounded.

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