The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine draws attention to significant intensification of provocations, shelling and targeted attacks against the Ukrainian armed forces units, which are involved into the counterterrorist operation, by Russia-supported militants. Only over last few days, the shelling of the positions of Ukrainian forces, as well as of the civilian locations, has significantly increased. An assault of the militants' battalion tactical group, with support of heavy armored vehicles, tanks and other military equipment, which took place near Starohnativka on August 10, is an alarming sign of further escalation of the situation.

Shelling, offensives of the Russia-backed terrorists, as well as intimidation of observers of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) are elements of a deliberate dangerous line towards the disruption of the Minsk agreements.

Upon the instruction of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without any delay will inform the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the states which participate in the Normandy format, the EU and NATO about the aggravation of the situation in Donbas and a threat of disruption of the peaceful settlement plan. We also stay in constant contact with the OSCE SMM and do our best to ensure that the Mission can fulfill its mandate.

Russia must undertake immediate steps in order to halt actions which bring death and destruction to Ukraine and threaten peace and stability throughout the entire European continent.