Ukraine Accuses Separatists Of Using Grad Missile Launchers

Kyiv has accused separatists of using large-caliber weapons despite a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine that required both sides to pull back those arms.

Ukraine’s military released footage on March 3 purportedly showing Russia-backed fighters firing Grad multiple-rocket launchers against government army positions outside the separatist stronghold of Donetsk.

It said the Grad attack came along with more than 60 cease-fire violations along the front line.

Meanwhile, the separatists accused government forces of shelling Donetsk suburbs, killing one fighter, burning down a house, and damaging others.

The accusations came as the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany prepared to meet in Paris on March 3 to discuss implementation of the peace plan for Ukraine set up under the Minsk accords in February 2015.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP