Shelling has erupted in eastern Ukraine a day after the country held a parliamentary election. President Poroshenko says the poll showed majority backing for his plan to negotiate an end to the country's conflict, reports GHN based on DW.
Heavy shellfire broke out again on Monday on the outskirts of the pro-Russian stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, a day after a parliamentary poll that seemed to show strong backing for the pro-Western reform course of President Petro Poroshenko.
"Powerful firing has been heard from high-caliber guns and explosions," a report on the website of the mayor of Donetsk said.
Heavy rockets hit the Ukrainian government-held base in Avdiivka, north of Donetsk, a local resident told the AFP news agency. The attack has not been confirmed.
Tensions remain high in the region despite a September 5 ceasefire signed between Kyiv and pro-Russian separatists in the east who have declared their own "people's republics" in the region. The weekend saw an unusual lull in the fighting during the poll.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has a large Russian-speaking population, prevented many from voting in Sunday's parliamentary election, a factor that probably worked in favor of pro-Western parties. Voters in Crimea - which was annexed by Russia in a contentious move earlier this year - were also unable to take part.
Insurgents plan to hold their own leadership vote next Sunday, but Kyiv has rejected its legitimacy.