Ukraine: Four civilians killed by artillery shelling May 13

Event

Ukrainian officials reported that four civilians were killed on Saturday, May 13, in artillery attacks on government-held Avdiivka. Three women and one man allegedly died and another was seriously injured when a shell hit a private residence late in the day. Separatists have not confirmed the incident, which the Ukrainian military claims was carried out using artillery banned under the terms of the Minsk agreements.

Context

Fighting continues to take place between Ukrainian and separatist forces in eastern Ukraine despite the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on April 1. In accordance with the Minsk protocol (September 2014) and Minsk II (February 2015) a ceasefire has officially been in place for several years in eastern Ukraine (Donbass region) between Russian-backed separatists, who advocate closer ties with Russia, and the Ukrainian government. However, despite these agreements, fighting is regularly reported in the region. On April 23, an International Observer with the European Security (OSCE) was killed and two others were wounded by a landmine near Pryshyb (30 km [18.6 mi] northwest of Luhansk).

More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since 2014. Ukraine has reported the deaths of 19 soldiers since April 1, while Russian separatists announced the deaths of ten soldiers in April.

Advice

Due to ongoing fighting between government forces and pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country, many Western governments advise against travel to Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (Donbass region), as well as areas along the Russian border.