ATO headquarters: Militants fire from 82 mm mortars in Zaitseve

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Kyiv, January 29, 2016. On January 28, pro-Russian militants continued shelling positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Over the last day, they violated ceasefire 71 times, said Col. Andriy Zadubinnyi, ATO spokesman, at Ukraine Crisis Media Center (via Skype). “In Svitlodarsk arch the enemy fired from 82-mm mortars on our bases in Zaitseve. In Novgorodske and Mayorsk they used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and infantry fighting vehicles,” he noted.

Close to temporarily occupied Donetsk, militants once again fired from different weapons on Ukrainian position in Opytne, Pisky, Avdiyivka and Butivka mine. The situation around Maryinka was tense. “Ukrainian soldiers were forced to open fire in response to insolent invaders’ attacks,” said Col. Zadubinnyi.

According to him, the number of attacks increases, and area of it expands. However, in order to provoke the Ukrainian military to fire in response, militants fire at civilians areas. “At 9:10 p.m., the Kremlin mercenaries fired from an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and automatic grenade launchers on Maryinka entry / exit checkpoint of the State Border Service of Ukraine,” said Col. Zadubinnyi. According to current information, militants prepare similar provocations on other entry / exit checkpoints, in particular in Artemivsk sector.

In total, over January 26 – 28, insurgents violated ceasefire 177 times. Thus, on January 26, the number of insurgents’ attacks increased dramatically. “Near Maryinka the enemy fired from all available weapons on our strongholds. The invaders used grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and even anti-aircraft installations,” informed Col. Zadubinnyi. Close to Krasnohorivka militants fired from grenade launchers and mortars, and at Novgorodske they opened fire from infantry fighting vehicles, automatic grenade launchers and machine guns. Mortars fired on Ukrainian strongholds in Troitske and Zaitseve. The situation is traditionally tense near Donetsk. “The enemy opened fire from grenade launchers and heavy machine guns on our fortifications in Opytne, Pisky, Avdiyivka and Butivka mine,” said Col. Zadubinnyi.

On January 27, the situation was tense in the vicinity of Donetsk. “Ukrainian bases were subjected to fire from small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers of various systems in Opytne, Pisky, Avdiyivka and Butivka mine,” said the spokesman. Militants fired from anti-aircraft installation on Ukrainian positions near Maryinka. Their sniper also worked there. In Svitlodarsk arc insurgents fired from mortars, grenade launchers and small arms on Ukrainian fortifications close to Troitske and Mayorsk. “In Luhansk sector, pro-Russian militants fired on our bases in Trokhizbenka from small arms and heavy machine guns at about 8 p.m.,” said Col. Zadubinnyi.