There are no Ukrainian soldiers stationed at the Avdiyivka coke plant and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) knows that perfectly well, ambassador at large of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) Andriy Kuzmenko has said.

He said that the targeted shelling of the plant has continued since May as the militants are attempting to destroy this enterprise as it is of strategic importance.

"I would like to stress with all responsibility: [there are] no [Ukrainian] military positions on the territory of the plant, militants perfectly know that, those, who coming to this place also know that, including our respected OSCE mission, however, the shelling continues," he said at a press conference in Kramatorsk on Monday.

Kuzmenko added that from 20.00 until 20.49 of July 26, militants launched 118 shells using 120mm artillery at Avdiyivka coke plant and the surrounding area.