The MFA of Ukraine draws attention to a significant intensification of provocations, shelling and targeted attacks against the positions of Anti-terrorist operation forces, carried out by the Russian-supported militants. In the past few days the number of attacks on not only Ukrainian position units, but on civilian objects as well has significantly increased. The attack against the battalion tactical group, delivered by militant forces with the help of heavy armored fighting vehicles, tanks and armored personnel carriers, that took place on August 10 in the direction of Starohnativka settlement, is a disturbing sign of further escalation of the situation.

Shelling, aggressiveness of Russian-terrorist forces, intimidation of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission observers − all this is a part of deliberately chosen dangerous line aiming to stall Minsk agreements.

On behalf of the President of Ukraine the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will immediately inform the OSCE Chairman, the Normandy format member states, EU and NATO on the worsening of the situation in Donbas and the threat of disrupting the peace plan. We are also in a constant contact with the OSCE SMM and help to ensure that the mission can fulfill its mandate.

The Russian side has to take immediate steps to stop any actions that bring destruction and death to Ukraine and threaten the security and stability on the whole European continent.