The Ukrainian Armed Forces strictly adhere to the Minsk agreements, in accordance with the provisions of which they can strengthen or re-equip their positions, relocate within the territories defined by these agreements, which has been done in some areas of the Donetsk sector, the press center of the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) headquarters has reported.

"Separate subdivisions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk sector have improved their tactical location with the aim of improving the conditions for monitoring the enemy and conducting defensive fire in response to provocative shelling by Russian-occupation forces," the ATO staff said on Facebook on Friday morning.

Earlier, volunteer Serhiy Prytula wrote on his Facebook page that the Ukrainian military took control of Verkhniotoretske.

"The town is completely under our control. There are no gray areas," he said.