From RFE/RL's News Desk:
A tank battle was reportedly under way in eastern Ukraine as government forces continue to battle Russian-backed separatists ahead of an impending cease-fire.
The pro-government Azov unit reported on February 13 that it was engaged in heavy fighting with separatists units near the village of Shyrokyne in the Volnovakhsk district of Donetsk.
Reports said heavy artillery was also being used in the battle.
Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleh Turchynov claimed government forces had taken control of other villages in the area, including Pavlopil, Kominternove, Lebedynske, and Berdyanske.
There were no casualty figures available.
This latest fighting comes after a fresh Minsk agreement on February 11 called on all sides in the conflict in eastern Ukraine to cease-fire as of midnight local time on February 15.
RFE/RL's Brian Whitmore has just published his latest Power Vertical podcast:
The cease-fire agreement announced in Minsk on February 12 may or may not end the fighting in the Donbas.
But what it does not do is resolve the issues at the heart of the yearlong conflict in Ukraine. Nor does it prevent Russia from continuing to meddle in Kyiv's affairs.
In fact, if anything, the long hand of Moscow may have just gotten longer -- and stronger.
On the latest Power Vertical Podcast, we unpack the Minsk II accord and what it means for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Listen to the podcast here:
