Donetsk, Dec 26 - DAN. The Donetsk People’s Republic Prosecutor General’s Office opened criminal proceedings against three Ukrainian commanders suspected of issuing orders to shell the town of Gorlovka and the Staromikhailovka neighbourhood in western Donetsk, the PGO press service said on Thursday.

The DPR PGO launched criminal investigations against Ukrainian army 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade commander Maxim Marchenko and 59th Seaprate Mororised Infantry Brigade commander Gennady Shapovalov under DPR Criminal Code article 229, Part 2 (act of terror),” the press service said.

The investigator said that servicemen of the above Brigades had shelled the Zaitsevo setttlement in northern Gorlovka and the Staromikhailovka settlement in western Donetsk on December 24 and December 25. Seven houses were damaged in the shelling.

The DPR prosecutors are also conducting a criminal investigation against 58th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade commander Dmitry Kaschenko who had issued an order to shell the 6/7 Colliery settlement in Gorlovka. A civilian was wounded in the strike.

On Wednesday, Ukrainain forces fired 82mm mortars at Gorlovka outskirts. A civilian suffered wounds to the head and shoulder.*jk