Russia's Foreign Ministry has claimed the death of a ceasefire monitor in eastern Ukraine was a “provocation” designed to jeopardize the peace process.

A U.S. paramedic died when an explosion hit a vehicle for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the separatist-controlled Luhansk region on Sunday. Two more people were injured in the blast, the OSCE confirmed.

In a press release on Sunday evening, the Foreign Ministry described the attack as a “cynical act” aimed at undermining the ongoing ceasefire.

"It is obvious that escalating tensions are beneficial for those who are not interested in implementing the Minsk agreements," the ministry said.

The Ministry has offered no supporting evidence for the claim, however.