Continued Shelling Threatens Cease-Fire in Ukraine
Heavy shelling was reported Tuesday in the rebel-held eastern cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, the most intense since the September cease-fire came into effect.
Fears are looming that the shellings will lead to a renewal of a full-scale conflict, which was partially halted by peace talks between the Ukrainian government and the rebels.
Kyiv alleges that rebel forces have implemented a mandatory draft in the eastern regions, which Ukrainian authorities say is preparations for an upcoming offensive.
Tensions mounted after the rebel forces held local elections on November 2, defying the Ukrainian government and its allies. Russia recognized the elections but stressed that the importance of continuing the Minsk peace talks.
Recent reports by Western media outlets and U.S. officials claim that Russia is supplying weapons to the rebels, which has sparked the threat of new sanctions on Russia by the European Union and the United States.
The MH-17 crash site has also come under heavy shelling, even as rebel forces attempted to recover fragments of the airplane to send to investigators.
The rebels allege that the Ukrainian army was behind the shooting of the plane and accuse Kyiv of attempting to prevent the probe.