Militants deploy prohibited weapons in Sloviansk and Mariupol direction – intelligence data

Representatives of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission operating in the Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone (ATO) have informed about the presence of weapons, which are prohibited according to the Minsk agreements, in areas near Debaltseve and Mospyne, the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported.

Militants are said to have secretly deployed large-caliber weapons banned under the Minsk peace agreement in Sloviansk and Mariupol directions, the intelligence data show.

"During the last day militants focused on regrouping and strengthening their units, conducting the reconnaissance of ATO forces, increasing the defense capability of combat units and formations, logistical support, secret deployment of the weapons banned according to the Minsk accords in Sloviansk and Mariupol directions," a statement reads.

Russian-backed militants violated the ceasefire in Donbas 29 times over the past day, according to the ATO press center.