Donetsk, Feb 6 - DAN. The increase in the number of strikes by Ukrainian forces in Donbass occurred as the election campaign in Ukraine entered a higher gear, Donetsk People’s Republic People’s Militia deputy commander Eduard Basurin told the Donetsk News Agency on Wednesday.

“The situation in the region is becoming a bargaining chip in the election race for Ukrainian nationalists, in the first place incumbent President Petr Poroshenko. For this reason, he has to show that it’s unsafe here,” he added.

The DPR People’s Militia remains to committed to the Minsk Agreements and the ceasefire.

Earlier reports said that tensions mounted sharply as Ukrainian army units violated the ceasefire 11 times over the past 24 hours firing 615 rounds of ammunition at DPR areas.*jk