DONETSK (Sputnik) – A shelling of residential areas in the city of Horlivka in Ukraine’s southeastern region of Donetsk, which was conducted by Kiev forces, has led to at least one civilian casualty, a representative of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) told RIA Novosti.
"We have information that in the ‘Glubokoye’ mine area one person died from shelling. Two others were injured. One of them is an 8-year-old child," the representative said, adding that the information is being checked.
Earlier a DPR representative told RIA Novosti that the Wednesday shelling was carried out by Kiev forces using tanks and artillery.
Local news reports cited Horlivka authorities as saying that the shelling has led to damages and casualties, with more detailed information to be officially announced on Thursday morning.
On Saturday, DPR said that Ukrainian government forces shelled northern and northwestern suburbs of Horlivka, which led to a fire that cut electric power and water supply in parts of the city.
Horlivka has been severely damaged by the shelling of Kiev troops, particularly at the beginning of this year, when fighting in the Donetsk region intensified. Other violence hotspots included the Donetsk Airport and the village of Shirokino.
Kiev forces launched a military operation against independence supporters in Ukraine’s southeastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in April, 2014.
According to UN estimates, the fighting in eastern Ukraine has killed over 6,500 people.
