International monitors in eastern Ukraine have reported a rising number of ceasefire violations as fighting continues in the area around Donetsk, amid fears of a return to all-out war.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says heavy weapons have being moved and used in areas where they are banned by February’s Minsk agreement.

There has been heavy fighting around the airport between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

“If it wasn’t for the Minsk agreements we would be in Kyiv by now. But our arms are chained up, so we are still here, in Donetsk,” said a rebel volunteer from Russia who used the name “Mishka”.

There is plenty of evidence of civilian areas damaged by shelling. In the Oktyabrsky district of the rebel-held Donestk, several houses were on fire after shells landed on them.

“There is nowhere to hide. We have to hide like rabbits in bushes. We are fed up with this. This mess has continued for more than a year,” said resid