Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have accused the government of opening fire on their territory in four separate incidents in the last 24 hours.
Separate reports of fire from grenade launchers, mortars and machine guns have been reported in a statement released by "representatives of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic", Al Jazeera reported on Thursday evening.
"Armed forces of Ukraine have crudely violated the ceasefire regime, using heavy weapons, which, according to the Minsk agreements, should be withdrawn," the separatists said in a statement.
![Ukrainian Army soldiers pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate a Day of Unity in Odessa, Ukraine on Wednesday. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/M7QRILSADQU52K7COAS33CBQFM.jpg?auth=0f64d598e4cc08dcdb813f50c095d7ac4420f01e0e577d725b00ac39139d4505&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been carefully monitoring the situation in eastern Ukraine, but has retracted some of its monitors following reports Russia has begun to retreat some of its forces from the border.