Andriy Lysenko: Militants commit most violations of ceasefire on the western outskirts of Donetsk

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Kyiv, November 18, 2015. The situation remained calm in the ATO zone in Donetsk sector on November 17. Nevertheless, militants continue instigating provocation in the vicinity of temporarily occupied Krasnyi Partyzan, where militants attacked ATO forces positions twice using small arms. Tension holds on the western outskirts of Donetsk tense, with the biggest number of ceasefire violations by pro-Russian militants groups. “Combat activity starts after the sunrise and continue until late night. Apart from small arms and grenade launchers, militants used 82mm mortar guns once. Such an episode was recorded in Mariinka where three mines landed at our stronghold,” said the Presidential Administration spokesperson on ATO-related issues Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

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Combat activity continued in the Luhansk sector yesterday only on Bakhmutivska road and north at the night time. Fighting was especially intense in the vicinity of Kriakivka and Orighovo-Donetske. “Two military clashes between ATO forces and two hostile subversive reconnaissance groups consisting of about 20 people. Our troops’ efficient defense made the enemy retreat southwards,” said Col. Lysenko. Moreover, militants were firing from light arms on ATO strongholds near Novotoskivka.

The situation remained calm south of Mariinka towards the Azov Sea. Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat, but one serviceman was wounded. “Moreover, two Ukrainian troops tripped mines and were injured in Stanychno-Luhanskyi district, Luhansk region,” added the spokesperson.

Ukrainian troops of Joint Center of Control and Coordination (JCCC) informed the OSCE mission that militants are instigating provocation fire using small arms, large machine guns and grenade launchers. “JCCC observers recorded eight cases of militants’ use of 120mm mine launchers and 24 cases of use of 82mm mine launchers on November 12-16. Russia-backed militants were shooting at residential quarters in Krasnohorivka and Hirniak using Grad multiple launch rocket systems, launching 12 missiles in total,” said Col. Lysenko.

According to the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, a special train consisting of eight carriages with ammunition and four tanks with combustible and lubrication materials for militants arrived to Ilovaisk station on November 16.

Police investigators detained a member of the self-proclaimed ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ (‘LPR’) near Zolote in Luhansk region. “The criminal told during interrogation that officers of the Russian Federal Security Service are training militants, and Russian instructors are conducting drilling. He also said that militants are keeping Ukrainian citizens hostage,” said Col. Lysenko. Moreover, an active supporter of the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ (‘DPR’) was detained. He was performing duties of a head of ‘Donetskstandartmetrolohiya’ state company and helped militants.

Law enforcement officers found two hand anti-tank grenades, two electric detonators and about 400 grams of plastid in an abandoned vehicle in the center of Mariupol. “Investigative and search actions are in progress to find the owners of the vehicle and the explosive cargo,” said the spokesperson.

Cases of illicit possession of explosives were recorded in Dymytrove, Avdiivka and Artemivsk. “In total, law enforcements seized two hand ball grenades and over 2000 cartridges to automatic weapons,” said Col. Lysenko.