ATO Staff Chief: Russia-backed militants fired 320 times at Ukrainian military positions over the last four days

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Kyiv, July 21, 2015. From July 17-21, Russia-backed militants fired 320 times on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the ATO zone. The militants violated the Minsk agreements 150 times over the last few days. “It was reported that pro-Russian militants used 152-mm and 122-mm artillery 45 times, 120-mm mortars 94 times and tanks 17 times,” noted ATO Staff Chief Colonel Yuzef Venskovych at a press briefing via Skype at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

Russia-backed militants fired upon Ukrainian forces over 60 times in the last day. “The enemy used 152-mm and 122-mm artillery 11 times, 120-mm mortars 19 times and tanks three times. The militants were actively engaged in conflict using weapons banned by the Minsk Accords in the areas of Novhorodske, Opytne, Krasnohorivka, Nevelske, Avdiivka and Pisky. The enemy fired from 152-mm and 122-mm artillery, and 120-mm mortars at Ukrainian positions in the area of Luhanske in the Donetsk sector. “As of 6 a.m. on July 21, the positions of Ukrainian troops near Rozsadky, Mayorsk, Zaitseve and Lozove were shelled from 152-mm artillery, and positions in the area of Bohdanivka received tank fire. The enemy engaged in small-arms fire upon Ukrainian positions near the Donetsk airport, Novomaryivka, Troyitske, Stanytsia Luhansk and Maryinka,” reported Col. Venskovych.

Venskovych also noted that at 8 a.m. this morning the pro-Russian fighters conducted intense artillery shelling of the area near Mayorsk in Donetsk region. “As the militants were shelling the town’s outskirts, civilian vehicles came under fire and two women were heavily wounded. It is important to note that the positions of Ukrainian forces are located outside residential areas to protect civilians from the criminal actions of the militants,” summarized Yuzef Venskovych.