The overall security situation in eastern Ukraine has deteriorated since the beginning of May, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
"Hostilities, with the use of mortars and heavy artillery, were reported near some 26 settlements on both sides of the 'contact line' in the last 24 hours only. Shelling has interrupted local gas and electricity supply systems in at least three settlements along the 'contact line' affecting more than 10,000 households," the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports.
According to Dujarric, the operation of the Donetsk Filter Station remains suspended, which puts at risk the water supply for 345,000 people. "The filter station has been attacked on eight occasions this year. The area of Avdiivka in Donetsk province, with over 16,000 people, is already depleting its backup water reservoirs. Humanitarian partners have today started water delivery to the city," he added.
The UN spokesperson urged all parties to the conflict to respect civilian infrastructure and protect civilian workers. He stressed that any targeting of civilian infrastructure, and the intentional disruption of access to water supply is a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
