Russia-backed militants break ceasefire 193 times in last three days – ATO Staff spokesman

WATCH IN ENGLISH

Kyiv, June 26, 2015. Russia-backed militants have broken ceasefire 193 times over the last three days. “Ukrainian servicemen registered 64 armed provocations on June 23 and 43 times on June 24. However, they have used a short period of decreased intensity of fighting to re-group forces and bring more ammunition to the frontline. On June 25, pro-Russian fighters fired 86 times at the Ukrainian military positions and the infrastructure of frontline towns. Ten more armed incidents have happened today already,” said Major Anton Myronovych, ATO Staff spokesman, at the press briefing via Skype at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

The highest average number of shelling has been observed in the area of Donetsk, covering Maryinka, Pisky, Opytne, Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka, Butovka mine etc.

In the Mariupol sector, militants used 152-mm artillery. Ukrainian Armed Forces also noted the use of portable multiple rocket launchers “Grad-P”. “Militants fired 66 times from 120-mm mortars at the Ukrainian military in the last three days,” added Major Myronovych.

No combat engagements took place in the last three days. Yet the enemy’s subversive groups are noticed of conducting reconnaissance activities on all sectors of the frontline.

“Russian side deploys troops in close proximity to the Ukrainian state border. These are tactical groups of the 45th and 17th company numbering over 54,000 of active servicemen. Moreover, tactical groups of the 15th battalion and the 6th company are stationed in eastern Ukraine,” the ATO spokesman said.

Major Myronovych also said that near the Russian city of Millerovo military equipment of the 79th rocket artillery brigade of the Western Military District of the Russian Federation Armed Forces was loaded to the railway transport, including 300-mm Smerch multiple rocket launchers. “Russia-backed militants used this kind of weapon to strike Kramatorsk last February. Also, enemy subversives undergo training on training grounds in the Russian city of Bataysk where the 22nd Special Forces Brigade of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation Armed Forces is stationed,” he said.

Major Marynovych concluded with information from the Ukrainian intelligence that Russia-backed militants formed a new assault battalion in Debaltseve. Its main tasks would be to conduct subversive-reconnaissance activities and seize strategically important objects.