Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed the deteriorating situation near Mariupol
In his interview to journalists, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Stepan Poltorak, confirmed that hostilities in Shyrokyne in the direction of Mariupol are the most active on the demarcation line in eastern Ukraine.
“The situation in Shyrokyne has deteriorated considerably. There was an attack by the enemy's reconnaissance and sabotage group that took place in this village a few days ago. Two attackers were killed and two others blew themselves up on the minefield when they left Shyrokyne; one was captured and one managed to flee. After these events, the situation has become worse there,” Poltorak said. According to him, the escalation is connected with the militants’ attempts to get revenge for losses and also a personnel rotation.
“As of today, this area is the most troublesome,” the minister added. On September 21, the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine signed a framework agreement on the withdrawal of troops and weapons of the sides involved in the conflict in the Donbas along three areas. The observance of a seven-day ceasefire in these areas was one of the terms of this agreement.
The withdrawal of troops suggests that both sides withdraw from their positions to a distance of no less than two kilometers. However, despite the agreements, the separatists continue to shell the positions of the Ukrainian Forces using heavy weapons. The Ukrainian Army Headquarters has recorded the greatest number of shelling and armed provocations in the direction of Mariupol.