Russia has lost control over mercenaries in Donbas – Zelensky

"The blatant violation of the Minsk agreements - the use of artillery - demonstrates, at least, the partial loss of control over mercenaries. We are hopeful the Russian side will regain control over these units," the president said.

Zelensky also expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and thanked for the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian servicemen who were attacked. He stressed that at the diplomatic level, Ukraine would continue to insist on the ceasefire and the release of the captives.

"The shelling of the Ukrainian military is an obvious attempt to once again undermine the process of negotiations on the ceasefire. Whoever gave the orders - Ukraine's Armed Forces will respond rigorously and according to the situation. And at the diplomatic level, our position on the necessity to cease fire and release the captives will remain firm and immutable," the president said.

As was reported earlier, two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eight more were wounded when Russian-backed forces attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Novoluhanske early on June 7. The Ukrainian Joint Forces adequately returned fire in response to the enemy's shooting.

op