Ukraine says 45 military killed, 163 wounded over past 12 months despite “ceasefire”

That’s according to the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas Settlement, Ukrinform reports citing the TCG’s official Telegram channel.

At the same time, compared to the period from July 2019 to July 2020, the death toll was 50% lower, the number of wounded was almost 67% down, as well as the number of shellings by enemy forces.

From July 27, 2019, to July 26, 2020, Russian-led forces attacked Ukrainian troops 4,257 times, killing 88 servicemen and wounding 494.

"Since the onset of ceasefire, from July 27, 2020, to July 27, 2021, a total of 1,995 shellings were recorded, which left 45 servicemen killed and 163 injured," the statement reads, citing preliminary data from the Joint Forces Operation HQ.

It is emphasized that "the Armed Forces of Ukraine perform with dignity the tasks set by President due to the international situation around Ukraine, providing Ukrainian diplomacy with the relevant conditions to fight for Ukrainian national interests."

According to the Ukrainian delegation, adhering to the ceasefire during the armed conflict is the most difficult type of military action.

Ukraine remains true to its political and diplomatic commitment to resolving the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Numerous statements by representatives of international organizations (from the UN Security Council to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), the mediating states within the Normandy Four, and the G7 testify to this fact,” the statement said.

"The Crimean Platform Summit, which will launch the process of putting an end to the occupation of Crimea, has become possible and representative (officials from more than 35 countries are expected to attend) mainly because Ukraine this year has earned a reputation as a responsible state, fulfilling its agreements even under adverse circumstances," the Ukrainian delegation in the TCG stated.

As reported earlier, at midnight on July 27, 2020, a full and comprehensive ceasefire was established in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The deal was agreed upon at a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group. The relevant decision was sealed on July 22, 2020, by the three parties – Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE.

im