DONETSK. Feb 16 (Interfax) - Although the situation remains complicated in Debaltseve, ceasefire has been maintained in Donbas, according to the defense ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
"The situation remained quiet all night long and during the day for the first time," the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic's military spokesman Eduard Basurin told the media.
But the situation remains complicated in Debaltseve, he said.
"Ceasefire has never been enforced there. Our positions remained targets of attacks fired from Lohvinove and Luhanskiy until the morning. A large group attempted to enter Chernuhine, but was thrown back by fire," Basurin said.
He also said that local defensive fights keep erupting near Shirokoye and Kominternoye, "which Ukrainian forces attempted to enter in a breakthrough," he said.
Although ceasefire was ordered, scattered groups of Ukrainian forces opened provocative fire with mortars and firearms last night and in the morning, Basurin said.
"The militia captured four Grad systems in local clashes. Four mortar attacks were launched against the airport and 18 against Donetsk," he said.