(VOVworld) – The “112 Ukraine” TV channel on Friday quoted the Ukraine Crisis Media Center saying that hostilities are escalating in eastern Ukraine. It reported that the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) forces fired Grad rockets on civilian areas such as Chernukhino, Debaltsevo, Popasnaya, Crimskye and Schastie. Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Interior Ministry in Donetsk Oblast Ilya Kiva rejected the information that the pro-independence force has surrounded Debaltsevo.

An wounded Ukrainian soldier was supported during the prison swap with separatists in Donetsk on January 29 (Photo: AFP)

In another development, speaking on “Russia 24” TV channel, the head of DPR Alexander Zakharchenko talked about the formation of Debaltsevo cauldron. He said anyone who does not run away from the cauldron will suffer from the shelling attack. 

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese association in Donetsk said Ukrainian authorities have granted license for the people to travel in and out the combat zone.