Ministry of Defense: Russian proxies attack six times despite the recently agreed holiday ceasefire

WATCH IN ENGLISH

Despite the recent decision by Trilateral Contact Group to establish a comprehensive, sustainable, and indefinite ceasefire starting midnight of December 23, 2017, the militants continue using heavy weapons and delivered six precision attacks against Ukrainian troops yesterday. Ukrainian troops returned fire two times, reported Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO, at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Luhansk sector, Russian proxies were mortaring Ukrainian positions near Krymske for an hour starting 23:00. The enemy fired 26 rounds. Ukrainian troops returned fire using mounted grenade launchers. “It was the only precision attack in Luhansk sector yesterday,” Colonel Motuzyanyk said.

In Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants attacked Ukrainian positions during the whole day along the entire front line. In the afternoon and in the evening, Russian proxies attacked Avdiivka area with grenade launchers and small arms. In the afternoon, the militants attacked Ukrainian troops near Verkhniotoretske, Krasnohorivka, and Kamianka. “The enemy used small arms and grenade launchers. Moreover, an enemy sniper was spotted near Verkhniotoretske,” Colonel Motuzyanyk elaborated.

Unfortunately, one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded by mortar fire near Avdiivka yesterday.

Report on the military developments as of December 24 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.