Sputnik / Andrei Stenin
As Ukraine and Russia conduct negotiations on the ‘prisoners echange’ (especially important for the public image of both countries), the military situation in the region of Donbass in eastern Ukraine continues to remain tense causing casualties on a regular basis.
In the period from April 21 to April 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) reported that their positions at a contact line with forces of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR/LPR) came under fire at least 23 times. The situation was reportedly especially tense near Avdiyivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodiane, Starohnativka, and Lebedynske. At least three UAF soldiers were wounded, according to the Kiev side.
At the same time, self-defense forces of the DRP and the LPR reported over two dozens ceasefire violatiosn by the UAF. In general, pro-Kiev forces focus on shelling subrubs of the city of Donetsk and smaller settlements in the area. The situation also remains tense on the contact line between DPR forces and the UAF near Mairupol. On August 24 only, the UAF violated ceasefire regime in this area 7 times targeting DPR positions near Kominternovo, Ukrainskoe, Sahanka.
On August 23, the DPR released a statement saying that its intelligence had obtained data that 13 UAF soldiers from the 92 Brigade had been evacuated with symptoms of plague.
Despite the public ‘peacemaking rhetoric’ by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the real sitaution in eastern Ukraine has in fact deteriorated over the past few months. Stepts undertaken by the Zelensky administration also show that Ukraine is not interested in de-escalation of relations with Russia. Therefore, the new Ukrainian regime just continues the policy of the Poroshenko government under a new brand.
