Donetsk, Apr 9 - DAN. Ukraine has increased its attacks at the Donetsk People’s Republic killing civilians purposefully, DPR Head Denis Pushilin said in comments on the contact line situation.

Earlier reports said that a 26-year-old woman was killed as Ukrainian forces shelled the Shirokaya Balka settlement. A 60-year-old man suffered shrapnel wounds to the neck, chest and ear and a penetrating lung injury in the attack.

“It is the third DPR civilian killed by Ukrainian war criminals over the past month; 11 residents have been wounded during this period,” Pushilin said. “As the world comes together to fight the common enemy - the coronavirus pandemic that claimed thousands of lives - Ukraine dramatically stepped up the shelling of the Donetsk People’s Republic.  It deliberately kills civilians and destroys their homes and infrastructure facilities.”

The DPR leader urged the international community to “immediately force Kiev to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians.”  “Otherwise, we reserve the right to respond to such actions with the toughest methods,” Pushilin said.*jk