Russia must ensure ceasefire in eastern Ukraine – UK ambassador

The Russian Federation must ensure the armed forces it backs adhere to the ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine.

British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons wrote this on her Twitter account, commenting on the death of Ukrainian soldiers due to shelling near Shumy, Donetsk region.

“I was horrified to learn of the deaths of 4 Ukrainian service personnel due to mortar fire near Shumy today. The ceasefire must be maintained, Russia must ensure the armed forces it backs adhere to it. Every life lost is one too many,” the British diplomat wrote.

On March 26, the armed formations of the Russian Federation opened fire from 82mm mortars, automatic easel grenade launchers and heavy machine guns on Ukrainian positions near Shumy (41km north of Donetsk). As a result of the shelling, four Joint Forces servicemen were killed and two were wounded. The wounded soldiers were promptly given first aid and taken to a hospital.

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