Ukraine's Defense Minister Valeriy Heletei has said that the announced truce in the Donbas region is being violated.

"The truce, that is a political reconciliation, is, to our great regret, not holding," Heletei told a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Each day Ukrainian forces are shelled up to 50 times, he said.

According to Heletei, the most frequently shelled areas are Debaltseve, Stanytsia Luhanska, Mariupol and its surroundings.

"Most shelling is near the Donetsk Airport," he added.

"Our principal objectives now are to regain control on the national border and keep the ceasefire," the minister said.