Artillery cannonade of high intensity and power is again heard in Donetsk, RIA Novosti correspondent reports.
Powerful peals began at 23.33 (Moscow time) and a total of three consecutive battery volleys were heard. It is difficult to quickly determine the direction of impact in urban areas.
In recent weeks, the situation in the Donbass has escalated: Kyiv has concentrated most of its army on the line of contact and is regularly shelling the DPR and LPR, using prohibited equipment. Due to the threat of Ukraine’s invasion, the DPR and LPR began the evacuation of women, children and the elderly to Russian regions. General mobilization announced. In this situation, on February 19, the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics turned to Russia with a request to recognize their independence.
On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that he considers it necessary to immediately recognize the sovereignty of the LPR and DPR, and signed the relevant decrees. The head of state instructed to ensure the maintenance of peace in the republics.
On Thursday morning, Putin announced the start of a special operation to demilitarize Ukraine. In a televised address to the Russians, he said that the circumstances “require decisive and immediate action from us, the people’s republics of Donbass turned to Russia with a request for help.”