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Russia-backed rebels increase attacks in Ukraine

As of Friday, the separatists had violated the Sept. 5 Minsk cease-fire agreement 45 times in a 24-hour period.

By JC Finley
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, right, talks to Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak in parliament in Kiev on Oct. 14, 2014. UPI File/Ivan Vakolenko
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, right, talks to Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak in parliament in Kiev on Oct. 14, 2014. UPI File/Ivan Vakolenko | License Photo

KIEV, Ukraine, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Ukraine's security council has observed an increase in Russian-backed separatist fighting in eastern Ukraine.

"The situation in eastern Ukraine is characterized by an increase of intensity and quantity of shellings," National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Thursday.

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The pro-Russia separatists have employed Grad rockets, artillery, tank guns and mortars in their battle against the Ukrainian government.

As of Friday, the separatists had violated the Sept. 5 Minsk cease-fire agreement 45 times in a 24-hour period.

Ukraine's Anti-Terrorist Operation press center reported Friday that military forces in Donbas were targeted with mortars, tanks and artillery systems. In one incident, militants hid behind civilian residences in the village of Vesela Hora while they shelled Ukrainian soldiers for two hours.

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