ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 29 (RIA Novosti) – Fragments of shells from pro-Kiev forces have damaged several buildings at the Russian checkpoint of Gukovo, located on the border with Ukraine, a representative from Russia’s Federal Security Service said Tuesday.
“Fighting was underway on the territory of Ukraine near Russian checkpoint Gukovo overnight, shell fragments damaged a number of checkpoint buildings,” spokesman Vasily Malaev said.
Russian border guards were staying on duty and have searched the area, according to the Federal Security Service press officer.
“No dangerous objects, unexploded shells have been found,” Malaev added.
The Gukovo checkpoint is closed because an adjoining Ukrainian checkpoint is not operating. Russia’s Novoshakhtinsk and Kuybyshevo checkpoints are also closed due to the same reason, according to the local customs office.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Thursday that Russia had registered nine strikes on its territory from Ukraine during the period of June and July of this year.
Several Russian checkpoints have been closed recently due to the firing from Ukrainian territory as clashes continue between Ukraine’s National Guard forces and independence supporters near the border.
On July 13, shells exploded in the Russian city of Donetsk in Rostov Region, killing one civilian and injuring two more.
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the shelling of the Russian territory, urged Kiev to stop the attacks immediately and warned that such provocations might have irreversible consequences.
