MOSCOW/DONETSK, February 16 (Sputnik) – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is negotiating with Kiev to end bombings on a strategic east Ukrainian city, following a plea for OSCE action from militia there, a senior official of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said Monday in a televised interview.
"The shelling of Horlivka started at 10:05 p.m. [8:05 p.m. GMT], apparently from the direction of Debaltseve… We informed the OSCE, and OSCE contacted the ATO [anti-terrorist operation] headquarters. … They are negotiating a ceasefire with the other side," DPR's Denis Pushilin said to Russia's Rossiya 24 television channel.
In summer, Horlivka saw fierce fighting as Ukrainian troops sought to tighten their grip on the militia-held city of Donetsk nearby. In recent weeks, the fighting shifted farther to the east, with the city of Debaltseve becoming a new flashpoint due to its strategic position as a transport hub.
According to Pushilin, three rounds of shelling on Sunday hit a building belonging to the DPR Emergencies Ministry and two residential areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The shelling comes despite a ceasefire that entered into force in eastern Ukraine on Saturday night. The ceasefire is part of a larger plan of action aimed at bringing peace to the region. Donetsk authorities said early Monday the truce was generally holding.
The ceasefire was agreed upon at the February 12 meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany and Russia.
