Ukraine reportedly shelling Donetsk and Lugansk with banned weaponry

Ukraine reportedly shelling Donetsk and Lugansk with banned weaponry

The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic, which separated from Ukraine in 2014, have accused the Ukrainian Armed Forces of shelling various areas of Donbass with weaponry that is banned under the Minsk Agreements.

Donetsk representatives said that Ukrainian forces shelled the village of Zaitsevo on the outskirts of Gorlovka in Donbass, using 120 mm mortar shells, which are prohibited under the Minsk agreements that were signed to settle the conflict.

In turn, representatives of Lugansk also reported the shelling of several areas with 120 mm mortar shells.

Earlier, both the President of Donetsk and of Lugansk announced the evacuation of civilians from the two republics, particularly in the border areas, towards Russia in anticipation of a possible Ukrainian invasion.

Tensions in the area have been high for months, with the US government reportedly pushing Ukraine towards war against Donetsk and Lugansk and towards membership of the NATO military alliance.