Militants conduct eight attacks in Donetsk sector, four attacks involved use of heavy armor. A 82-mm mortar launcher was used once in the Mariupol sector
Kyiv, October 6, 2016. Active hostilities resumed in Pisky in the Donetsk sector, informed Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on ATO related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “Russia-backed militant groups conducted two intense mortar attacks at Ukrainian positions. The occupants were shooting from the territory of the ruined Donetsk airport for more than an hour,” said Col. Motuzyanyk.
The situation is restless in the Avdiivka industrial area where militants’ attacks continued almost three hours. Moreover, members of Russia-backed militant groups opened fire in Luhanske, Novhorodske and Verkhniotoretske. “The armistice held only north of Horlivka (Zaitseve-Maiorsk frontline area),” elaborated the spokesman. In total, militants conducted eight attacks in this sector, four attacks involved use of heavy armor.
The area of hostilities slightly expanded in the Luhansk sector. Militants moved additional troops to Slovianiserbsk and shelled the nearest Ukrainian positions from mortar launchers and a tank. Moreover, Russian proxies opened fire in Stanytsia Luhanska and Popasna district, like in previous days. “Occupants used mortar launchers and armored personnel carriers in Novooleksandrika-Novozvanivka frontline area. Militants launched over 50 mortar shells,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. In total, 12 militants’ attacks took place in the Luhansk sector, five attacks involved use of heavy armor. Moreover, four flights of militants’ unmanned aerial vehicles were registered in the Luhansk and Donetsk sectors.
One Ukrainian serviceman died in combat yesterday, one was wounded and one sustained a blast injury. Confirmed militants’ losses in the past 24 hours amounted to three militants dead and 12 injured.
Militants’ attacks in the Mariupol sector continue along the entire frontline. Russian proxies are systematically violating the armistice in Mariinka, Taramchuk, Starohnativka and Pavlopil-Shyrokyne frontline area. “Additionally, to small weapons, the enemy used an 82-mm mortar launcher once. Moreover, militants’ snipers were active in three areas,” emphasized Col. Motuzyanyk. Ukrainian troops responded with fire many times. In total, militants conducted 20 attacks at Ukrainian positions, namely one mortar attack.
Another batch of reinforcement came for militants from Russia. “25 units of military equipment were brought to Novoazovsk district of Donetsk region, namely D-30 howitzers, self-propelled artillery mounts and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems. In addition, 80 servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation arrived to Donetsk region,” said the spokesman.
