ATO Staff spokesman: Russia-backed militants violate ceasefire 27 times

WATCH IN ENGLISH

Kyiv, May 5, 2015. Russia-backed militants have violated ceasefire 27 times between 6 pm and midnight over the last day. Militant groups in the Donetsk region shelled the Ukrainian military positions from 120-mm mortars near Shyrokyne, Pisky, Hnutove and Opytne, said Lieutenant Colonel Serhiy Danylenko, ATO Staff spokesman, at the press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

“The enemy shelled the Ukrainian forces from 82-mm mortars stationed close to Pisky, Mayorsk, Leninske and Kirove in the Donetsk sector. They have also opened fire from a tank in the area of Shyrokyne and used automatic and hand-held grenade launchers and small arms near Opytne, Pisky, Hranitne and Avdiivka,” Lt. Col. Danylenko said.

In the Luhansk region, militants shelled Ukrainian positions from 82-mm mortars near the town of Syze. Ukrainian Armed Forces clashed with pro-Russian fighters near Zolote; the engagement has lasted from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm. “Ukrainian servicemen fought off the enemy’s attack and forced them to step back. Residential districts did not come under fire yesterday,” the ATO Staff spokesman said.