8 Oct 2014 18:08

Donbas truce not holding - defense minister

KYIV. Oct 8 (Interfax) - Ukraine's Defense Minister Valeriy Heletey has said that the announced truce in the Donbas region is being violated.

"The truce, that is a political reconciliation, is, to our great regret, not holding," Heletey told a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday.

Each day Ukrainian forces are shelled up to 50 times, he said.

According to Heletey, the most frequently shelled areas are Debaltseve, Luhanska Stanitsa, Mariupol and its surroundings. "Most shelling is near the Donetsk Airport," he added.

"Our principal objectives now are to regain control on the national border and keep the ceasefire," the minister said.