ATO Staff spokesman: Russia-backed militants keep using heavy weapons

Kyiv, May 22, 2015. Pro-Russian militants fired from 120-mm mortars and 122-mm artillery at Vodyane, Butovka mine, Avdiivka, Opytne, Maryinka, Pisky, Severne, Slavne and Hranitne. They have also shelled Novolaspa from the Grad multiple rocket launcher system, said Lieutenant Colonel Leonyd Matyukhin, ATO Staff spokesman, via Skype at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

Novohorodske, Shyroka Balka, Leninske, Kirove, Zolote and Troyitske came under militant fire as well, while pro-Russian fighters used self-propelled artillery to attack Shyroka Balka and Kirove.

In the Mariupol sector, Shyrokyne remained the hotspot of the conflict; militants used mortars, grenade launchers and small arms.

Active provocations were observed in Shchastya, Luhansk region, were pro-Russian fighers fired at the town from the artillery and two tanks during the night.

Peaceful towns Opytne, Vodyane and Avdiivka were also fired upon. Militants used 122-mm artillery from the areas of Zalizna Balka at Horlivka.