Colonel Motuzyanyk: Two more echelons with military aid for militants came to Ilovaisk

Kyiv, February 14, 2016. According to Ukrainian intelligence, another batch of military aid for the self-proclaimed republics came from Russia. “Two echelons carrying military weaponry, 180 tons of diesel and 10 wagonfuls of ammunition and materiel recently arrived to Ilovaisk railway station. Moreover, Russian mercenaries arrived at Bokove-Platove area near Antratsyt,” informed Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, spokesman of the Presidential Administration for ATO-related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

The situation in the Donetsk sector remained the most difficult in the vicinity of the Donetsk airport and on the outskirts of Horlivka yesterday. Militants used small arms, large machine guns and grenade launchers near Opytne, Avdiivka and Pisky. Moreover, two cases of snipers’ work were registered in Pisky. “Militants are more frequently using 82-mm and 120-mm mortar launchers prohibited by Minsk Agreements near Zaitseve and Mayorsk. It must be mentioned that both attacks were closely coordinated, for militants started and finished shooting almost simultaneously. Russia-backed militant groups attacked from 120-mm mortar launcher near Verkhniotoretske,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. Ceasefire violation was registered near Troitske, were militants used small arms and grenade launchers and opened sniping fire.

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In the Mariupol sector militants keep violating the armistice neat Mariinka and Krasnohorivka. “Militants were using grenade launchers, large machine guns and small arms. Militants used 82-mm mortar launchers twice near Krasnohorivka. According to military intelligence, a so-called “5th motorized rifle regimen of Donetsk People’s Republic” is active near Mariinka, comprising subdivision of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation “Belyi Medved”, said the spokesman. At the same time he said that the number of provocations generally decreased, so Mariinka checkpoint, closed on February 13, resumed its activity. Militants’ provocations were also registered in other sections of the front. “Militants attacked ATO troops’ positions near Talakivka and Pavlopol with mortar fire, and anti-tank missile systems were used twice near Hranitne. Another provocation took place near Shyrokyne,” informed Col. Motuzyanyk.

No ceasefire violations were registered in the Luhansk sector. Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat yesterday, but seven troops were wounded. “At the same time, the adversary suffered casualties. One serviceman of Russian Armed Forces died and one was wounded while proceeding together with subversive reconnaissance group near Zaitseve,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. Our military intelligence reported an incident in Klynkyne village, Novoazovsk district. “Local inhabitants prevented an attempt of Russian troops of taking stolen property from private houses. Village inhabitants seized the looters and even tried to lynch them,” informed the spokesman.

Law enforcements detained a local resident in Kostiantynivka. The man joined one of “cossack” armed gangs in 2014. Another militant was detained during large-scale special operation in Mariinka conducted with participation of 73 law enforcement officers. “The militant has been identified, six people more are suspected of liaising with insurgents,” said Col. Motuzyanyk.

Law enforcements found a weapons cache in Chasiv Yar town, Donetsk region. “12 hand ball grenades with fuses, one kilogram of TNT and large number of cartridges of various calibers were confiscated,” informed Col. Motuzyanyk. He also said that law enforcements will be taking enforced investigative counter measures on February 12-29 to prevent spread of illegal arms and ammunition.