Rebel-Held Cities Shelled Amid Finalization Of Ukraine Ceasefire

After the Ukraine ceasefire was reached in Minsk, reports have indicated that the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk were shelled. The two Ukrainian cities are along the frontline where government forces have been battling pro-Russian rebels. So far, there were no confirmed reports of casualties in the new shelling in the two rebel-held cities in eastern Ukraine.

The ceasefire is set to start after midnight on Saturday in eastern Ukraine. Russia was warned of new sanctions by the EU if it does not respect the agreement. While the shelling was heard by foreign journalists in Donetsk, it did not appear as intense as in previous days. Luhansk was also shelled on the evening of Thursday.

Even as the peace deal was finalized by Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany on the morning of Thursday after marathon negotiations, it was uncertainly how long it will last.

Ukraine Ceasefire Agreement Finalized

The latest Ukraine ceasefire requires the complete withdrawal of heavy weapons two weeks after February 16 and the release of prisoners by both sides. Foreign troops and weapons should also be withdrawn and illegal groups disarmed. Restrictions in rebel areas should be lifted to allow Ukrainians to return to their normal daily life. The rebel regions should be decentralized through constitutional reform and the border should be controlled by both Russia and Ukraine if all conditions are met by the end of the year.

Russia has been accused by Ukraine and Western countries of sending personnel and weapons to aid the rebels. However, this was denied by Russia. The casualties in the war have surpassed the 5,400 mark and increased considerably in recent days. The number of civilians killed in populated areas from January 31 to February 5 has reached 263. While the Ukraine ceasefire agreement was also signed by pro-Russian rebels, some important issues have yet to be settled.

Posted by James Fried on Friday February 13 2015, 4:55 PM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0