The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) has reported that a residential district and the outskirts of Avdiyivka, Donetsk region, were shelled by missiles launched by Grad multiple launch rocket systems from east and southeast of the town.

"The SMM conducted crater analysis and examined rocket fragments, and assessed the impacts to have been caused by Grad rockets incoming from areas to the east and south-east," the SMM monitors said in a report issued on April 20.

In Avdiyivka, the SMM observers spoke to representatives of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), to Ukrainian and Russian military officers and the locals. According to them, three rockets hit the residential area of Avdiyivka old town and five landed in fields on the outskirts of the town.

"The SMM saw three impacts in the area and related damage to civilian property," the report said.

Avdiivka, which is controlled by the Ukrainian government, is located 13 kilometers northwest of Donetsk. The line of contact lies to the east and south of the town. Territory westward of Avdiyivka is temporarily under the control of separatist militants. Yasynuvata lies to the east of Avdiyivka, Makiyivka and partially Donetsk – to the southeast of Avdiyivka.