Donetsk, Dec 20 – DAN. Ukrainian forces reinforced their positions on Gorlovka and Donetsk axes with self-propelled howitzers “Akatsia” and “Gvozdika”, DPR Operations Command deputy commander Eduard Basurin told a news briefing at Donetsk News Agency on Tuesday.
“Our intelligence keeps recording the strengthening of Ukrainian army positions near the contact line. In Dzerzhinsk (north of Gorlovka, 5 km from the contact line), two 122mm “Gvozdika” self-propelled howitzers were revealed, while in Avdeyevka (north of Donetsk, 1 km from the contact line), firing positions of three 152mm “Akatsia” self-propelled howitzers were spotted,” Basurin said.
The information on Ukrainian forces’ Minsk Agreements violations was passed to representatives of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination and OSCE mission.
Under the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements signed by the Contact Group on February 12, 2015, the sides have to withdraw their artillery systems of 100 mm calibre or more to a distance of 50 kilometres apart from each other. The Addendum to the Minsk Agreements signed in September provides for the parties’ withdrawal of their artillery systems of a calibre less than 100 mm, as well as tanks and mortars. Despite the agreements, DPR territory is regularly shelled with above weapons. *jk