Dramatic Battle Violates Ukraine Cease-Fire

RFE/RL has recorded dramatic evidence of the cease-fire in Ukraine being violated, with pro-government forces coming under sustained shelling in the village of Shyrokyne. The attack, filmed on May 24, resulted in one Ukrainian soldier dying of shrapnel wounds and another being wounded. Ukrainian military officials said Russian-backed separatists were using weapons of 120-150 mm caliber, which should have been withdrawn 50 kilometers from the front line under the terms of the February cease-fire agreement, although this could not be independently confirmed. There have been frequent reports of shelling at Shyrokyne, near the strategic port of Mariupol, since the cease-fire was agreed. OSCE observers have also recorded heavy shelling there. (Levko Stek, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service).