The EU condemns the escalation of the military actions that took place in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, last night, which caused the deaths of civilians, Catherine Ray, Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy led by High Representative, Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, has said.

It's completely necessary that both parties maintain the ceasefire regime and take all necessary measures to protect civilians in accordance with international and humanitarian laws, Ray said at a briefing in Brussels.

She avoided answering the question if the military actions near Mariupol could be considered as a 'red line' for the militants, which the EU described as unacceptable.

Earlier on Monday, the Anti-Terrorist Operations press center said that on Sunday Ukrainian army positions were shelled 148 times, and that the situation particularly escalated in the evening.