As a result of morning hostilities, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another four were wounded.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has called today's offensive by Russian occupation forces in eastern Ukraine's Donbas an attempt to disrupt the peace process.

"On the fifth anniversary of the Debaltseve tragedy, militants and occupiers staged a cynical provocation. This morning they attacked the positions of the Joint Forces near the settlements of Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, Krymske, and Khutir Vilniy. They applied weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements," the president wrote on Telegram.

Ukrainian defenders were able to repulse the aggressor and now the battle is over.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side suffered losses.

"This is not just a cynical provocation, the purpose of which is to press on the Debaltseve wound that will never heal completely. This is an attempt to disrupt the peace process in Donbas, which has begun to move forward, albeit in small, but relentless steps," Zelensky believes.

Read alsoDonbas escalation: Russian occupation forces attack Ukrainian troops, try to penetrate line of contact (Video)

He also recalled that today, in connection with events in the country's east, a meeting of the NSDC has been scheduled.

"We will discuss and decide on further steps. Our course towards ending the war and adherence to international agreements remains unchanged – as does our determination to repulse any manifestations of armed aggression against Ukraine," Zelensky concluded.

As UNIAN reported earlier, in the morning Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian defense positions in Donbas, employing 120 mm mortars, proscribed by Minsk agreements. Under fire cover, the Russian invaders began their offensive operation and attempted to advance through the demarcation line. As a result of the battle, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another four were injured.