The Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine continue to accuse each other of violating a cease-fire agreement.

The army said in a statement on August 21 that the separatists had fired 71 times at various government-controlled areas near the front line over the past 24 hours.

According to the statement, posted on Facebook, the most intense shelling occurred in the village of Avdiyivka, which came under heavy artillery fire by the separatists during the night time.

During the day, the separatists shelled Avdiyivka from mortars and grenade launchers, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the separatists claimed that the Ukrainian military launched more than 180 shells on rebel-held areas in Donetsk overnight.

The separatists said the Ukrainian government forces targeted several separatist-controlled areas, including Yasinovataya, Dokuchayevsk, and Trudovskiye.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the situation in eastern Ukraine continues to deteriorate and accused “the enemy” of trying to undermine the Minsk peace process aimed at settling the conflict.

According to the United Nations, more than 9,500 people have been killed in the conflict since it began in April 2014.

Based on reporting by unian.net and TASS

