You're reading: US blames Russia-backed separatists in shell attacks in Debaltseve

 The U.S. Department of State has condemned the intensifying attacks over the last week by Russia-backed separatists in Debaltseve of Donetsk region, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Jennifer Psaki said.

 “We strongly condemn the intensifying attacks over the last week by Russia-backed separatists in – on Debaltseve, a town approximately 13 kilometers beyond the Minsk ceasefire line, a boundary that Russia and the separatists committed to respect when they signed the Minsk agreements,” she said at the press conference on Thursday.

“There can be no mistake about this violation of the agreements and who is responsible. The head of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic stated on January 24: “In a few days, we will surround Debaltseve,” she quoted him association agreement saying.

Psaki said that “there can also be no mistake about Russia’s role in the escalation of violence, which is causing suffering and death among those Russia has claimed it wants to protect.”

She said that the US authorities “call on Russia and the separatists it supports to cease immediately offensive military operations in eastern Ukraine and implement fully their commitments under the September Minsk agreements. Otherwise, U.S. and international pressure on Russia and separatists will only increase,” she stressed.