On February 17, from 4.55 a.m., the illegal military formations from several Russian-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk areas has conducted more then 40 provocative shelling of Joint Forces positions and civil infrastructure, using conventional artillery, grenade launchers, mortars and tanks on Novoaidarske, Popasnianske, and Toretsk directions.

Around 8.50 a.m. Stanytsia Luhanska was shelled. A kindergarten was hit, where 20 children and 18 workers were at that moment. Three people from kindergarten staff were injured, provisional diagnosis is concussion. They received medical treatment. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Police personnel in Luhansk region evacuated children and stuff of the kindergarten to a safe place.

Around 10.25 the shelling of Vrubivka was conducted, and as a result one shell hit a backyard of the Vrubivka Lyceum of Popasnianska local territorial community. At the moment of shelling, 30 pupils and 14 lyceum staff were in the building.

A pipe line and residence buildings were damaged.

The Ukrainian side of the JCCC took measures for imposition of ”silence” regime using a coordination mechanism for ceasefire violation reaction involving OSCE SMM.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine act in accordance to the agreements on measures to strengthen the ceasefire dated on July 22, 2020. In particular, the coordination mechanism was involved according to the article d), and other measures according to the article e).

Ukrainian delegation from the Trilateral Contact Group addressed OSCE TCG coordinator to convene an urgent extraordinary meeting of the security working group, and then the TCG meeting on the ceasefire violations during February 17.

‘The illegal military formations with the support of Russia have increased the number of provocations. This was done deliberately just before the United Nations Security Council meeting, which will consider the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The increase in the number of focused shelling that pose a danger to civilians, including children, should be noted. At the same time, the Russian Federation is stepping up its information campaign with the involvement of occupation administrations to justify the expansion of armed aggression against our country. It should be noted there has been an increase in the number of targeted attacks, which endanger civilians, including children. At the same time, the Russian Federation is stepping up its information campaign to enlist the occupation administration to justify the expansion of armed aggression against our country.

Our representatives in the JCCC have implemented all necessary response procedures, and appropriate mechanisms have been put in place at the OSCE SMM level. We expect that the relevant information will be reflected in the OSCE SMM reports. We strictly observe all our undertaken commitments and take measures to ensure the safety of our citizens. We will also keep international partners informed. Together with our colleagues from other departments, we will ensure full access for Ukrainian and foreign media to the places of shelling. We are as transparent as possible. Every effort will be made to provide the world with objective information on who violates the Minsk Agreements and does not want peace. Everything that happened today must be investigated. This will allow us to act more effectively in the future to maintain the ceasefire,’ said the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

As of 13.00, the fire from illegal military formations controlled by Russia had stopped. Joint Forces units monitor the situation, and authorities take measures to fix the damage, repair the consequences of the shelling and provide the necessary assistance to the victims.