The United States believe pro-Russian activists not Ukrainian authorities are responsible for violence in the east of Ukraine.

“We condemn the attacks today in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists that killed a number of Ukrainian troops and wounded dozens more. Calls by the separatists for Russian military intervention to protect civilians are ridiculous, considering it is the separatists who are perpetuating violence,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told a briefing on Thursday.

At the same time, Psaki said that the vast majority of the country remains calm.

“The Ukrainian Government’s preparations for Sunday’s elections are otherwise on track,” she said.