The Russian-backed separatist forces mounted 61 attacks against Ukrainian forces over the last 24 hours, Ukraine's military headquarters report. The hostilities included use of weapons banned under Minsk agreements.

The Mariupol sector suffered the most attacks - 31, while in the Donetsk sector the militants fired 16 times, and in the Luhansk sector 14 times.

Near Mariupol, Ukraine's military reported attacks from mortars, heavy-calibre machine guns and small arms in Vodiane, Hnutove, Starohnativka, Shyrokyne and Novohryhorivka. The militants also used mortars in Krasnohorivka and Maryinka.

In Luhansk region, the Russian-backed separatist forces violated the Minsk agreements by using heavy artillery and 120mm-calibre mortars.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian border guard service reported two cases of shelling at checkpoints on the separation line in eastern Ukraine.

Read more at Ukraine Today.