Bildt comments on Russian attack in Donbas

Swedish politician, diplomat, former Prime Minister Carl Bildt has reacted to the recent Russian attack in Donbas, which claimed the life of a Ukrainian soldier.

"There are reports of a serious escalation of the war in the east of Europe today. Russian-backed forces go on the offensive in Donbas and are reported to have gained ground. This looks like more than just a local incident,” the Swedish politician wrote on his Twitter account.

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.

As a result of the combat, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, and four others were wounded.

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