Ministry of Defense: Russia-backed militants make 42 attacks, use heavy weapons in 11 cases

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The combat situation in eastern Ukraine remained unchanged over the last day: Russia-backed militants made 42 precision attacks, 11 of which involved heavy weapons. Ukrainian troops returned fire over 20 times, reported Ministry of Defense spokesman Colonel Dmytro Hutsulyak at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Luhansk sector, the enemy delivered 17 attacks. “Russia-backed militants used 82-mm and 120-mm mortars against the Joint Forces’ positions in Zaitseve, Zalizne, Zolote, and Troitske areas having fired a total of 90 rounds from 82-mm and 120-mm mortars,” Colonel Hutsulyak elaborated. Militants employed IFV mounted weapons, grenade launchers, and heavy machine guns near Katerynivka, Novozvanivka, Zaitseve, Luhanske, Svitlodarsk, Zalizne, and Krymske.

In Donetsk sector, Russian proxies opened precision fire 25 times. “In this sector, Russia-backed militants were intensely using grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms against the Ukrainian troops. Hostile harassing fire was recorded outside Pisky, Vodiane, Pishchevyk, Hnutove, Maryinka, Avdiivka, Talakivka, Opytne, Lebedynske, Shyrokyne, and Shakhta Butovka. Ukrainian troops defending Pisky additionally recorded several incoming 82-mm mortar rounds,” the Ministry of Defense spokesperson added.

Thankfully, Ukrainian troops incurred no losses over the last day.

As of the morning of May 15, Russia-backed militants made 11 precision attacks. At night militants shelled the Ukrainian troops defending Novhorodske with 82-mm mortars. “Russia-backed militants used grenade launchers and small arms in the rest of the attacks. Hostile harassing fire was recorded in near Katerynivka, Talakivka, Hnutove, Vodiane, and five times near Shyrokyne,” Colonel Hutsulyak said.

Report on the military developments as of May 14 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.