Escalation of clashes in the Donbas

Since 11 January 2015 there have been regular battles in the Donbas between the forces of pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian army troops. These are the most serious clashes since the truce in September 2014. They have been centred around the airport in Donetsk, where the Ukrainian forces’ positions in the area of the new terminal have been the main target of separatist attacks for the last few days. In response, on 17-18 January, the Ukrainian side has conducted an effective counterattack with heavy weaponry including tanks, and temporarily returned the status quo at the beginning of this year. However, on 22 January the Ukrainian troops were forced to leave the completely destroyed new terminal at Donetsk airport. This means the total loss of control of the airport, which has become a symbol of the containment of the separatist movement in eastern Ukraine. Regular artillery bombardment has also taken place in other parts of the Donbas, including the vicinity of the Debaltsevo road junction, Volnovakha and Mariupol.