KIEV, Jan. 30 – The EU Foreign Affairs Council has strongly condemned the indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian residential areas, especially Mariupol, and the recent escalation of fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"The Council is shocked by the high number of casualties. It notes evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility," read Council conclusions on Ukraine issued in Brussels on Thursday.