Military engagements [between combined Russia and separatist forces and Ukrainian troops] have erupted along the entire line of demarcation, a development not seen since 2014," Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.

"I can say with certainty that military operations are taking place along the entire front, something that hasn't happened since 2014," he said during a briefing on Friday in Kyiv.

Motuzianyk said the number of enemy attacks exceeded 100 for the first time since April 2016. He said battles were held around the clock, with Russian occupying forces using grenade launchers, artillery and multiple-rocket launching systems (GRAD).

"More than 2,000 attacks on the flanks of Ukrainian forces were carried out using heavy weapons. There are casualties among the civilian populations. One local woman died, another was wounded. A foreign journalist photographer received an eye injury," the ATO spokesman said.

He said the enemy continued to threaten ATO troops near Shata Butovka, Opytne and Pisky.

"The village of Spartak and Donetsk International Airport have been hit with grenade launchers, other weapons, tanks and rockets, which were fired at Ukrainian soldiers day and night. Our troops returned fire," Motuzianyk said, adding that the enemy also was active in the Svitlodarsk bulge and near Horlivka.

He said in the Mariupol sector the number of barrages increased dramatically, from 35 to 72. The enemy used multiple-rocket launchers against Starohnativka and Novohryhorivka. Heavy artillery barrages targeted Chermalyke, Hnutove, and Russian irregulars also fired rockets at Shyrokyne from GRAD-P systems. The enemy continues to shell areas in Maryinka region. A woman there was wounded by shell shrapnel and four houses were damaged. There is no electricity and two modules manned by Ukrainian Border Service troops were damaged.

In the Luhansk sector there has also been heavy shelling, which resumed in Popasniansky district. Battles began around 10.00 in the morning and continued late through the night. The enemy used grenade launchers and artillery, firing more than 50 salvos. Russian troops and Russian irregulars also fired at Syze, Stanychno-Luhansky district in Krymsky Novoaidarsky district. At total of 15 enemy salvos were recorded, including eight from heavy weapons.