The OSCE condemns the Mariupol shelling as reckless, indiscriminate and a disgraceful attack, and urges and end to the escalation of military action, Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (OSCE SMM) Ertugrul Apakan has said.

"I condemn this violent act in the strongest terms and call for a full investigation of the incident. I also convey my most sincere and deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Ukraine," OSCE statement quoted Apakan as saying.

He stated that the OSCE had dispatched a patrol to the scene to assess the situation and establish the facts.

"This dangerous situation can't continue. We need an immediate ceasefire. Ukraine and its people need and deserve peace. The parties must return to the negotiating table without further delay and fully implement the Minsk agreements," Apakan said.

He confirmed that over the past few days the OSCE had observed an increase in indiscriminate shelling throughout the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, including against heavily populated areas such as Donetsk city and Debaltseve.

"I urge all sides to immediately undertake robust action to stop the new escalation in fighting and its heavy toll on civilians," he said.

The statement also includes UN information that over 5,000 people have died, more than 10,000 have been injured and about one million have been displaced due to violence in eastern Ukraine.