The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its strongest protest against Russia’s recent aggressive activities in Donbas.  In particular we protest  about the violent attacks and shelling by the Russian hybrid forces, including with tanks, self-propelled artillery, rocket launchers and mortars. 

We are particularly concerned over the damage of a residential house in the town of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region, as well as over the attack of a Russian subversive group on the outskirts of this town on 20 July.

We consider these actions of Russia and the militants it backs as a deliberate step to disrupt the “harvest ceasefire”, which was due to last, as agreed in the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group, from 24 June until 31 August.  Over a short period from 18-20 July Ukraine lost 11 servicemen, while 15 other service personal and two civilians were wounded.

We make clear that by the activities of its forces in the area of Russia-instigated international armed conflict in Donbas, as well as by provocative and aggressive actions of its proxies, the Kremlin deliberately undermines the process aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict, based on the Minsk agreements.   

We demand from the Russian Federation an immediate halt to the armed provocations, which are increasing the number of casualties and the destruction of regional infrastructure.  Furthermore it must start to fully implement its own commitments under the Minsk agreements.

We expect a strong response by the international community.  In particular we ask our partners engaged in the resolution process  to bring greater pressure on the Russian Federation to stop this violence immediately.