Ukrainian servicemen properly repel the attack. Militants continue shelling Ukrainian troops mostly from mortar launchers. Desertion rate in the militants’ ranks increases.
Kyiv, July 22, 2016. Yesterday between 8 and 8 p.m. Ukrainian stronghold in Mariinka was attacked by a subversive reconnaissance group consisting of up to 10 militants. Insurgents approached to a grenade throwing distance and started shooting from small arms and under-barrel grenade launchers at our troops,” informed spokesman of the Presidential Administration on ATO related issues Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Ukrainian servicemen responded with fire and defeated militants’ attack. “Officers with nom de guerre Eksim and Sova, sergeant Hotsman, junior sergeant Vyshnia and soldiers Lytva, Madmax and Kapelan properly repelled the attack,” added the spokesman.
Krasnohorivka and Shyrokyne became yet other flashpoints in the Mariupol sector. Militants repeatedly used mortar launchers and a tank there. All these attacks took place during the hours of darkness. Russia-backed militant groups launched over 70 mortar shells within one hour (from 11 p.m. till midnight) at Ukrainian positions in Shyrokyne. “Moreover, hostile provocations continue in other areas of the demarcation line,” added Col. Lysenko. In total, 26 militants’ attacks took place in the Mariupol sector yesterday, in particular six of these involved use of heavy armor – mortar launchers and tank.
Militants violated the ceasefire in the Luhansk sector in several areas at once yesterday: in Stanytsia Luhanska district and in the vicinity of Popasna. Almost all the attacks took place during the hours of darkness. “The situation was the most restless in Stanytsia Luhanska where the enemy acted in especially aggressive and bold manner. Ukrainian troops responded with fire instantly,” said the spokesman. Militants conducted 10 attacks in the Luhansk sector in 24 hours, namely three mortar attacks in Stanytsia Luhanska, Popasna and Troitske.
Around half of all the militants’ attacks in the Donetsk sector took place in the Avdiivka industrial area where the hostilities continue non-stop. Militants are attacking from eastwards – Yasynuvata-Yakovlivka line – actively using mortar launchers. Another intense mortar attack took place northwards, in Novoselivka Druha village. “Enemy launched over 40 mortar shells at Ukrainian positions,” added Col. Lysenko. Moreover, the situation was restless at the Svitlodarsk bulge south west of Horlivka, in Opytne and Pisky. On the opposite, perfect armistice held in Zaitseve yesterday. According to the military intelligence, militants deployed the newest Russian electronic warfare complex “Shypovnik-Aero”. In total, 30 hostile attacks took place in the Donetsk sector yesterday, eight involved use of heavy armor,” said the spokesman.
One Ukrainian serviceman died in combat yesterday and two were wounded. Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred these losses in firefight near Mariinka.
According to the military intelligence, three militants died and seven were wounded. “One Russian serviceman from the National Guard of Russia acting as a retreat-blocking detachment between Avdiivka and Yasynuvata was killed and two injured at the attempt to seize deserters from so-called “11th separate motorized rifle regiment” of the Russian occupational forces. Enemy’s detachments are known to incur big losses there and are trying to desert from the frontline positions,” elaborated Col. Lysenko.
