Donetsk, May 18 - DAN. Ukrainian armed formations fired nearly 150 rounds on the DPR on Wednesday, injuring five civilians, while the Donbass Post issues a stamp featuring a boy who has become one of the symbols of the ongoing special military operation, and Mariupol water company starts hiring.

Here are the key events so far on Wednesday, May 18.

Fighting

First bursts of Ukrainian shells disrupted Wednesday morning at around 7:40 a.m. Shelling incidents were reported in Donetsk, Yelenovka, Aleksandrovka, Mineralnoye, Dokuchaevsk, Yasinovataya, Gorlovka, Panteleimonovka and on their outskirts. Kiev forces used heavy artillery, mortars, RPGs and small arms.

Five civilians were reported injured. Barrages also caused multiple damage to housing and infrastructure.

Society

The Donbass Post has issued a stamp featuring a boy named Alyosha who has become one of the symbols of the ongoing special military operation. Every morning he greets Russian troops moving past his house.

A post office opened in Yalta on the coast of the Sea of Azov.

Reconstruction of a multy-apartment house began in Yasinovataya.

Mariupol Water Main Company (Mariupolvodokanal) has begun hiring staff. The understanding is that 200 people who previously worked there want to resume their employment.  An emergency hot line has been opened to process alerts on any troubles in water supply system. Calls are received from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at 071 331 76 04. 

DPR Head Denis Pushilin visited Mariupol and talked to journalists about plans to reconstruct the city and the recent mass surrender of Ukrainian militants at the Azovstal steel works.

Charity organizations assisted families with children who lost their houses in Mariupol to travel to a Russian resort.

A bridge in western Mariupol, blown up during the fighting, is now under reconstruction.

The JCCC, Territorial Defence HQ, local authorities and DAN staff contributed to this report. *ot