The Embassy of Ukraine in Moldova reacted to the escalation of the situation in the Ukrainian region of Donbas. According to the Embassy, blatantly violating the ceasefire agreement, the troops controlled and coordinated by Russia intensified military attacks on the Armed Forces of Ukraine across the contact line in the eastern districts at the end of January, IPN reports.

The town Avdiivka became the epicenter of fighting. “The enemy is trying to destroy the infrastructure, to deprive the peaceful locals of heat, water and electric power and to paralyze the vital activity of the town that has over 16,000 inhabitants,” reads the declaration.

The Embassy says the pro-Russian rebels have carried out massive attacks using available weapons, including MLRS “Grad”, mortars and firearms prohibited by the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian authorities are taking all the required measures to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. There were set up heating and serving points for locals, while the town’s residents are being evacuated, first of all the children, women and persons with disabilities.

“The attacks on Avdiivka and other settlements are an illegal act of massive destruction that is not based on military necessities. These events are accompanied by a broad information campaign staged by the Russian propagandists in an attempt to groundlessly accuse Ukraine of the escalation of the conflict,” says the declaration.

The Embassy is grateful to the international community for understanding, political and humanitarian support, the calls to Russia to stop the aggression against Ukraine, to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova who make common cause with the Ukrainian people and to the Government of Moldova for the support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.