Colonel Andriy Lysenko: Militants shell outskirts of Toretsk, killing civilians

WATCH IN ENGLISH

Kyiv, June 13, 2016. Russia-backed militants’ groups used mortar launchers along the entire frontline in the ATO zone yesterday. The situation was the most difficult near Donetsk airport, at the Horlivka agglomerate and the Svitlodarsk bulge. Militants shot several times from 82-mm and 120-mm mortar launchers, large machine guns and grenade launchers near Avdiivka. Moreover, militants’ sniper was active, informed spokesman of Presidential Administration on ATO related issues Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

13-06_eng

“Militants were shooting from 122-mm artillery mounts and armored personnel carrier (APC) north of Horlivka, near Zaitseve settlement. Militants’ provocations involving use of mortar launchers were instigated near Mayorsk,” informed Col. Lysenko. According to him, most armed provocations in this area took place west of Horlivka, namely near Leninske, Troitske and Novhorodske. Militants used mortar launchers, anti-aircraft mounts, grenade launchers and large machine guns there. Moreover, they shot from APC twice. Militants’ attacks involving use of mortar launchers and armor were registered near Luhanske settlement at the Svitlodarsk bulge. “Militants delivered massed artillery fire at Artemove village near Toretsk immediately after midnight tonight. A woman died as a result of direct missile hit at a residential house, added the spokesman.

According to Col. Lysenko, number of attacks was down by half in the Mariupol sector. “The situation remains restless near Mariinka and Krasnohorivka, where militants launched three mortar shells and shot from grenade launchers and anti-aircraft mount. Sporadic armed provocations took place near Hnutove, Talakivka, Vodiane and Shyrokyne,” said the spokesman. He added that two snipers’ attacks were registered there. Militants violated the ceasefire once in the Luhansk sector near Novozvanivka. Col. Lysenko said that Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat yesterday, and three troops were wounded. Two militants’ subverters died and four were wounded in the past 24 hours.

Military intelligence found that Andriy Shein, squadron commander of so-called “3rd separate special forces battalion” located in Donetsk, was among the militants who died on June 11. Chief Intelligence Directorate also reported one flight of militants’ unmanned aerial vehicle in the vicinity of Avdiivka industrial area. According to the intelligence, Russia is building up its propaganda facilities in the east of Ukraine. “Center of information confrontation located in Novocherkask organized work of Russian journalists at militants’ frontline strongholds located in Horlivka, Makiivka and Luhansk,” informed Col. Lysenko.