Kyiv, April 28, 2015. Russia-backed militant groups used Grad multiple rocket launchers against the Ukrainian troops for the first time in April. They have also struck Novolaspa village, Donetsk region. “Geography of ceasefire violations has widened. The enemy fired at our positions 18 times from 120-mm mortars and six times from 122-mm cannons. Militants used tanks and anti-aircraft guns as well,” said Colonel Motuzyanyk, spokesman of the Administration of the President of Ukraine on issues connected with ATO, at the press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
In the Donetsk sector, Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka remained the epicenter of fighting. Military situation was turbulent in the area of the Donetsk airport and villages around Svitlodarsk. Pro-Russian militants were active near Shyrokyne and Chermalyk in the Mariupol sector as well as near Zolote, Sokilnyky and Shchastya in the Luhansk sector.
Ukraine’s State Border Guards spotted 26 enemy UAVs along the frontline.
One Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and 14 more got wounded in the last 24 hours.
Donetsk and Sumy regional police units uncovered an arms arsenal near Yampil, Donetsk region, which contained two rockets and five reactive anti-tank grenades.
Col. Motuzyanyk also said that over 4,000 servicemen who were wounded on the frontline received medical treatment in Ukrainian military hospitals. Over 460 servicemen are currently placed in health resort centers, while around 2,000 soldiers are staying in hospitals.
The ATO spokesperson concluded with information that “DPR” insurgents are about to close more than 50% of mines on militant-held territories due to the militants’ inability to maintain their daily functioning.
