Tensions are escalating in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine as the militants are increasing the frequency and intensity of bombardments of Ukrainian army positions and Donbas populated areas, the army said.

"The militants shelled our army positions 26 times overnight. Eleven populated areas and army positions situated nearby came under fire," the army operation press center said in its report as of 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

The Donetsk airport and populated localities adjacent to it remain the epicenter of confrontations, the army noted.

"In all, our army positions were shelled 84 times by illegal armed units in the past 24 hours," the press center stated.

In addition, the army reported nine drone flights above Nizhne, Schastia, Volnovakha, Novoselivka, Kalchyk, Mariupol and the Donetsk airport.

"Our servicemen are in control of their positions and adequately respond [to incidents] by suppressing the most active and dangerous fire nests of the terrorists," the press center said.