A WOMAN was killed in the Kirovsky district of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, it was confirmed today, as civilian areas in the Donbass region continue to come under heavy shelling. 

The attack took place at just after 8.30am, local authorities said, as the city was bombarded with 20 Grad missiles and banned cluster munitions. 

Two people have been killed and at least 25 people injured in the previous 24 hours. 

In a separate incident, Olga Kachura, known as Korsa, was killed in a combat mission although the circumstances were unclear when the Morning Star went to print. 

Mayor of Gorklova Ivan Prikhodko paid tribute to Ms Kachura, one of the founders of the so-called People’s Militia who rose through the ranks and led a unit of 150 men. 

“Today is a black day for Gorklova and the republic,” he said, calling her death “an irreparable loss.”

Earlier this week Russia raised the use of the so-called petal mines, which are banned under international law, with the United Nations.

Hundreds of the Lepestok anti-personnel mines have been dropped in residential areas of Donetsk in recent days.