1 Ukrainian serviceman killed, 6 wounded as tensions escalateApril 13, 2015 - 15:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six were wounded in the past 24 hours, the Kiev military said on Monday, April 13, accusing rebels of using heavy weapons that were meant to have been withdrawn under a ceasefire deal, Reuters reported. The escalation in violence will add pressure to talks between the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, who are due to meet in Berlin on Monday to discuss further implementation of the Minsk ceasefire agreement. The truce, brokered in the Belarusian capital in mid-February, is still technically in force though both sides accuse each other of intensifying attacks in the past few days. "The rebels have not stopped firing at Ukrainian positions ... Over the past day the enemy used weapons banned under the Minsk agreements," Ukraine military spokesman, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, said in a televised briefing. He said the armed groups had fired at government troops 17 times with weapons of between 120 mm and 122 mm caliber, but did not specify where exactly. He also reported clashes between the opposing forces near government-held Avdiivka north of Donetsk. “The situation around the airport of rebel-controlled Donetsk was the most tense,” Motuzyanyk said. Under the Minsk deal, weapons bigger than 100 mm caliber, including large artillery, heavy mortar and powerful rocket systems, were meant to have been withdrawn from the front line. Photo: AP Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |