U.S. Department of State calls on Russia to make rebels stop fire

According to the statement, published by U.S. Department of State, Washington knows that the Special Mission of the OSCE confirms militants' attacks in the Donbas. In particular, they conduct shelling of Severodonetsk, Luhansk and Donetsk, Joinfo.ua reports referring to the website of U.S. Department of State.

"The Government of Ukraine reports that its forces have been fired on 129 times in the last 24 hours by Russia-backed separatists, killing 5 and wounding 25, including attacks on a convoy evacuating the wounded from Debaltseve.

The separatists have publicly declared that they refuse to observe the cease-fire in Debaltseve, and OSCE monitors have not been provided security guarantees for access. These aggressive actions and statements by the Russia-backed separatists threaten the most recent cease-fire and jeopardize the planned withdrawal of heavy weapons, as called for in the February 12 Minsk packet of implementing measures. We are closely monitoring reports of a new column of Russian military equipment moving toward Debaltseve.

We call on Russia and the separatists it backs to halt all attacks immediately, engage with the OSCE to facilitate the cease-fire, and, as called for in the packet of measures agreed to on February 12, fully implement their September 5 and 19 Minsk commitments," the statement reads.