Russia-Ukraine crisis: OSCE reports over 1,500 ceasefire violations in last 24 hours

Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, European observers reported over 1,500 ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine in past 24 hours, reported Times Of Israel on Saturday. According to Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization with observer status at United Nations said that eastern Ukraine h seen most ceasefire violations so far in a single day during current crisis. It said Russian military has been using artillery and mortar fire to attack eastern Ukraine region.

While elaborating situation, OSCE said y recorded 591 breaches in Donetsk and 975 violations in neighbouring Lugansk. tably, se two regions are partly held by Russian-backed separatists. European observers ted that residents living near border areas have fled from ir houses after ceasefire from both sides increased tremendously in recent days. As of February 19, Saturday, OSCE ted two Ukrainian soldiers were killed on front line-- marking first casualties in conflict over a month.

Zelenskyy called for Russian President Putin to meet him 

Amid a war-like situation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged western countries to step in to avert war.
While speaking at Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Zelenskyy called for Russian President Vlimir Putin to meet him and seek a resolution to crisis. "I don’t kw what president of Russian Federation wants, so I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy said at Conference, where he also met with US Vice President Kamala Harris. Ukrainian President also offered his Russian counterpart to pick location for talks. "Ukraine will continue to follow only diplomatic path for sake of a peaceful settlement," he ded.

It is pertinent to mention here that battle between Ukraine's government and breakaway Donetsk and, Lugansk Republics is t new. It has been going on since 2014. In a bid to control violence in Donbas region, an accord called Minsk agreement was signed in February 2015. deal came after tough negotiations among leers of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine — rmandy group. However, agreement did t exhibit desired result, and, it is visible only in papers, resulting in frequent sporic clashes.

Im: AP