MINSK, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The OSCE's special representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine Martin Sajdik expressed concern about the increased number of the civilians killed in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, local media reported on Wednesday.
Following the Contact Group meeting, Sajdik said that the number of victims in eastern Ukraine from January to May 2017 increased by 120 percent over the past year.
The diplomat also said that the increased number of victims is the result of the continued use of heavy weapons in five hot spots and the prolongation of the demining process.
Sajdik stressed that 85 percent of all the violations occur in several zones: Avdeyevka, Yasinovataya, Mariupol, and Svetlodarsk.
The official urged all parties of the conflict to respect human life, respect their obligations under international law and protect the civilian population on both sides of the contact line.
The next meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine will be held on June 7.
