Ukraine reports ceasefire violations in the east
A statement by the Defence Ministry of Ukraine said the separatists used artillery prohibited by the ceasefire agreement close to the town of Stanytsia Luhanska in the eastern Luhansk region.
"It was 'fireworks.' The 'fireworks' were so heavy that window glasses and nerves shook. Everything shook," Oleksandr Petrenko, a local resident told Reuters.
According to other residents, a transport depot was also hit by gunfire and a security man was wounded there.
"After the first fire, probably three minutes passed. And afterwards, there was a series of shelling. We ran inside, laid down, some started to pray," Yuliya recalled when a series of shelling hit the area.
At the government-controlled checkpoint, carts of personal belongings were seen as people are looking to leave the area.
Ukraine and NATO countries have voiced concern about Russian troop movements near Ukraine's borders.
Moscow has dismissed such suggestions as inflammatory and complained about what it says is increasing activity in the region by the NATO alliance.
Ukraine urged NATO on Wednesday (December 1) to prepare economic sanctions on Russia to deter a possible invasion by tens of thousands of Russian troops concentrated within reach of its border.
