Ukraine: Escalating violence in Donetsk oblast throughout December

Event

At least 15 people have been killed during escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks. On Sunday, December 17, three Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly killed and another eight volunteer fighters were wounded by separatist artillery barrages. According to the monitors with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine have dramatically in recent weeks. OSCE monitors recorded almost 16,000 violations from December 11 to 17. Heavy exchanges of fire were also reported on Tuesday, December 19, near Zaitseve and Novoluhans'ke in Donetsk oblast.

Context

Clashes between Ukrainian state forces and the separatists have been taking place on a regular basis despite a number of ceasefire agreements made since 2014. According to the UN, more than 10,000 people have died since the eastern Ukraine conflict erupted in April 2014, soon after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. The fighting has displaced more than 1.6 million people. The rebels remain in control of a large swathe of territory in Luhansk and Donetsk provinces, which are mainly Russian-speaking regions.

Advice

Due to the ongoing conflict, many Western governments advise against travel to the far east of Ukraine, including the cities of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, Mariupol, and Luhansk.