Ukraine: Clashes escalate in eastern Ukraine May 21-22 /update 1

Event

Fighting between Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) soldiers and pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts has escalated in recent days. According to the European Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE), 7700 ceasefire violations were recorded between May 13 and May 19, making it one of the fiercest weeks of fighting so far in 2018. On Monday, May 21, the JFO confirmed that two Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and another nine wounded in the past 24 hours of fighting. In Donetsk oblast, the JFO recorded attacks on May 21 and Tuesday, May 22, in several villages including Yuzhnoye, Avdiyivka, Zaitzeve, Mayorsk, Chermalyk, Vodiane, and Shyrokyne. JFO soldiers also came under fire near the village of Troyistky in Luhansk 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 10,300 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 swath of territory in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, 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.