Fact-checking in partnership with Facebook
Across social media, there are claims about artillery fire in the Donbass, in particular in the temporarily occupied territories. Pro-russian sources claim that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have supposedly shelled the village of Vesela Hora (Luhansk oblast) on February 23rd, 2022, using 122 mm caliber artillery. As a result of the shelling, 7 houses were damaged. The sources making the claims then go on to accuse Ukraine of systematically breaking the ceasefire.
However, there is zero proof that it was specifically ukrainian soldiers who shelled Vesela Hora on February 23rd.
Firstly, the ukrainian side did not mention shelling the village. In fact, it was the russian proxies who shelled the city of Shchastia, under ukrainian control, from Vesela Hora.
Secondly, the OSCE report dated February 24th does not mention Vesela Hora being shelled at all. The only localities mentioned as being targeted by artillery fire are ones under ukrainian control.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine do not engage in provocations. Prior to the full-scale russian invasion on February 24th, Ukraine strictly followed the Minsk protocol and only opened fire in the event where the actions of russian occupation forces presented threats to the lives and livelihoods of ukrainian soldiers and civilians. However, Russia de-facto exited the Minsk agreements by recognizing the “independence” of the so-called “LPR” and “DPR” and invading Ukraine.
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