Mission of Ukraine to EU calls for resolute reaction to Russian attack in Donbas

Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU Mykola Tochytskyi wrote this on Twitter.

"Yet another Russian cynical attack in Donbas. Today Russian forces and its proxies launched an offensive and heavy shelling of Ukrainian positions with weapons banned by the Minsk agreements. One Ukrainian military killed, four wounded. We informed the EU about Russia's escalation and urged partners to react resolutely," Tochytskyi said.

Russian-backed forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian Joint Forces units near the villages of Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, Krymske and Khutir Vilnyi early on Tuesday, February 18. 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 headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation, the battle has already ended, one Ukrainian military has been killed, and another four have been wounded.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius expressed deep concern about offensive attempts by Russian-backed forces near Zolote.

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