WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 – The United States on Sunday condemned an attack on special monitoring missions in eastern Ukraine and called on Russia and the separatist forces it backs to immediately observe the ceasefire under the Minsk agreements, Reuters reported.

"We condemn Friday's targeting of OSCE special monitoring mission (SMM) monitors and the seizure of a SMM unmanned aerial vehicle by combined-Russian separatist forces," the State Department said in a statement.

"It is imperative that these forces halt their attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the Donetsk water filtration station. We call on Russia and the separatist forces it backs to immediately observe the cease-fire, withdraw all heavy weapons, and allow full and unfettered access to the OSCE monitors.”

The ceasefire was agreed after an upsurge in fighting last month. More than 9,800 people have died since the conflict began.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has an observer mission in the conflict area to monitor the truce.

The OSCE monitors were in the town of Yasynuvata trying to gather information about the apparent recent shelling of Donetsk water filtration plant when they were surrounded by rebels.

The plant, which is close to the front line, had announced on Friday that it was closing because of the attacks.

The rebels pointed guns at the monitors, the OSCE said, and one fired shots that landed near them.
Mission chief Ertugrul Apakan said on Friday: "Firing at unarmed civilian monitors is not only a direct threat to the lives of brave men and women doing their best to bring peace to Ukraine.

"It is a direct challenge to the collective will of the 57 OSCE participating states, and to the Minsk agreements."

A peace deal for eastern Ukraine was signed in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in February 2015 but since then previously agreed ceasefires have not held for long, with both Ukrainian government forces and the rebels repeatedly accused of breaking them. (rt/bbc/ez)