Ministry of Defense: Russia-backed militants drastically step up attacks, use mortars and antitank missiles

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The situation escalates in eastern Ukraine: Russian proxies committed 14 ceasefire violations having fired eighty-two 82-mm and 120-mm mortar rounds. Ukrainian troops returned fire three times, reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Dmytro Hutsulyak at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Luhansk sector, Russian proxies violated the ceasefire nine times. “The tensest situation was observed near Troitske. Militants were attacking Ukrainian troops’ positions for over five hours with minor recesses. The first attack was recorded at 15:40, militants used 82-mm mortars, heavy machine guns, and ZU-23 antiaircraft mount. The enemy then used 120-mm mortars in the following attacks,” Colonel Hutsulyak said. Russia-backed militants used mortars of various types near Novozvanivka as well. Moreover, militants delivered small arms attacks near Katerynivka, Novooleksandrivka and Stanytsia Luhanska. “In addition, militants used an antitank missile system outside Krymske,” the ATO spokesperson elaborated.

In Donetsk sector, Russian proxies made five precision attacks. They fired twenty-three 120-mm rounds near Lebedynske and Shyrokyne. “Moreover, militants used small arms and 82-mm mortars near Vodiane, Pavlopil, and Lebedynske, and employed and IFV in Bohdanivka area,” Colonel Hutsulyak proceeded.

Unfortunately, three Ukrainian troops were wounded and one more serviceman injured in action yesterday.

Report on the military developments as of February 6 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.